Customs advisory is specialist guidance that helps businesses navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of UK customs legislation. Whether you are new to international trade or an experienced importer and exporter, having expert advisory support ensures you stay compliant, avoid costly errors, and take full advantage of any duty reliefs or facilitations available to your business.

At HC-Customs, our advisory service goes beyond answering questions. We review your current customs processes, identify risks and savings opportunities, and provide practical recommendations that protect your business and improve your bottom line.

• Customs Compliance Audits — A thorough review of your import and export declarations to identify errors, misdeclarations, and compliance gaps before HMRC does.
• Duty Relief Advice — Guidance on reliefs such as Inward Processing (IP), Outward Processing (OP), Temporary Admission, and End Use to legally reduce your duty liability.
• Customs Warehouse Advice — Setting up and managing customs warehouse authorisations to suspend duty on goods until they enter free circulation.
• Origin and Preference Advice — Ensuring your goods qualify for preferential tariff rates under UK trade agreements including the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
• EORI Registration — Assistance obtaining your Economic Operator Registration and Identification number, required for all UK imports and exports.
• Customs Procedure Reviews — Analysis of your current procedures to ensure you are using the most cost-effective and compliant approach.
• HMRC Audit Support — Representation and preparation if your business is selected for a customs compliance check or audit by HMRC.
• Post-Brexit Trade Advice — Ongoing guidance on trading with the EU under the new UK customs rules following the UK leaving the EU.

HMRC has significantly increased its customs compliance activity in recent years. Businesses that cannot demonstrate accurate record-keeping and correct use of customs procedures face financial penalties, back-duty demands, and in serious cases, loss of customs authorisations.

Proactive advisory support from HC-Customs means your business stays ahead of regulatory changes, maximises legitimate duty savings, and is always audit-ready.

• • Deep UK customs expertise — Our advisors have hands-on experience with HMRC CDS, CHIEF, and all UK customs special procedures.
  • Independent and impartial — We work solely in your interest, not for freight forwarders or carriers.

Compliance Portal access — Monitor your declaration history and compliance scores in real time at compliance.hc-customs.com.

• Practical actionable advice — We do not produce reports for the sake of it. Every recommendation is something you can act on immediately.
• Fixed transparent fees — You know what you are paying before we start.

What is an HMRC customs audit?
HMRC carries out customs compliance checks to verify that businesses are paying the correct amount of duty and VAT and using customs procedures correctly. HC-Customs can prepare you for an audit and represent you throughout the process.

What is Inward Processing Relief?
Inward Processing (IP) allows you to import goods for processing or repair and then re-export them without paying full import duties. It is one of the most valuable duty reliefs available to UK manufacturers and processors.

How do I know if my customs declarations are correct?
HC-Customs offers a declaration review service where we analyse a sample of your import and export entries and report on accuracy, correct use of commodity codes, and any overpaid or underpaid duty.

Can you help with trade agreements and preferential rates?
Yes. We advise on rules of origin requirements and help you obtain and use supplier declarations and statements on origin to benefit from preferential duty rates.