Customs Clearance Apprentice

We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join our ever-growing customs department.

Full training will be given. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain experience and skills to begin an exciting career in a growing industry.

Requirements

• GCSE in English (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)
• GCSE Maths (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)
• Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Logical
• Team working

Responsibilities

• Processing customs declarations to HMRC for imports and exports
• Checking documentation to ensure documents meet all laws to facilitate export and imports of goods
• Liaise with importers and exporters to obtain the necessary information to ensure customs declarations are made in accordance with UK laws
• Providing guidance to clients on UK customs procedures and Laws
• Liaise with Border force and other government agencies when required
• Work alongside the transport department to provide seamless customer focused logistic solutions
• Working alongside colleagues to ensure customs declarations are processed in a timely manner
• Liaising with customers to inform them of declaration requirements
• Submitting customs declarations - declaring to HMRC details of import and export shipments

Benefits

• Wage: £18,000 a year
• Once experienced, Saturday overtime available at a generously enhanced rate of pay
• Increase based on performance after hitting agreed milestones
• Training course: International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm, with an hour lunch break. 37 hours 30 minutes a week
• Permanent position from day 1
• Once qualified the next step would be to become a customs agent in our customs department which has multiple progression steps as knowledge of declaration types expands.
• Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
• What you'll learn:
  • Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
  • Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
  • Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
  • Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
  • Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
  • Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
  • Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
  • Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
  • Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
  • Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
  • Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
  • Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
  • Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.
  • Air. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the air freight industry.
  • Air. Select and use documentation appropriate to the air freight industry.
  • Ocean. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
  • Ocean. Select and use documentation appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
  • Road. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the road freight industry.
  • Road. Select and use documentation appropriate to the road freight industry.
• Training schedule:
  • International Freight Forwarding Specialist Level 3.
  • On the job training delivered by the employer.
  • Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment.
  • For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3.
  • Allocation of an apprenticeship delivery coach who will carry out regular training. Assessment and support visits to ensure you acquire new learning, knowledge skills and behaviours in order to progress and develop.
  • Identify, track and support 6 hours off the job training activities.
  • Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps.