Senior Operations Customs Specialist | China–UK Trade Lane
We are looking for an experienced and detail-driven Customs Specialist to join our growing team. This role is focused on customs operations and compliance for air and ocean freight imports and exports between China and the UK. You will play a critical role in ensuring smooth, compliant, and efficient customs clearance while supporting business growth and customer satisfaction.
What You’ll Do
- Take end-to-end ownership of customs operations for China–UK import and export shipments (air & ocean), including reviewing commercial documents (invoices, packing lists, B/Ls) and preparing/submitting customs declarations via relevant systems.
- Ensure full compliance with Chinese and UK customs regulations, tax policies, and applicable trade agreements (including rules of origin).
- Independently manage and resolve customs exceptions such as inspections, classification challenges, valuation queries, and other clearance issues, delivering timely and effective solutions.
- Coordinate closely with customs brokers, freight forwarders, warehouses, and transport teams in both China and the UK to ensure seamless cargo and information flow.
- Act as a subject-matter expert, providing customs and compliance advice to clients and internal sales teams (HS classification, regulatory requirements, duty/VAT calculations).
- Analyse customs data and processes, identify risks and inefficiencies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce costs and improve clearance efficiency.
- Stay up to date with regulatory and policy changes in China and the UK, assess business impact, and lead internal process updates accordingly.
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree or above; International Trade, Logistics, or related fields preferred.
- 3–5 years’ hands-on customs experience within international trade or logistics, with solid exposure to China–UK air and ocean freight.
- Strong working knowledge of China E-Port / Single Window systems; experience with the UK CDS (Customs Declaration Service) is a strong plus.
- In-depth understanding of customs procedures, import/export regulations, VAT and duty regimes, and inspection/quarantine requirements in both China and the UK.
- Proven expertise in HS classification and origin determination.
- Excellent written and spoken English and Mandarin, with the ability to communicate confidently with UK stakeholders and handle professional correspondence.
- Detail-oriented, highly responsible, resilient under pressure, and able to work both independently and collaboratively.
Why Join Us
- Opportunity to work at the centre of China–UK trade operations
- High level of autonomy and professional impact
- Collaborative, international working environment
Interested? Feel free to connect or apply directly via LinkedIn.
