Top 5 reasons you should review your customs strategy

For all businesses trading internationally or importing or exporting the implementation of a well-defined customs strategy is essential. The reason is, customs regulations are intricate and consistently evolving, and failure to comply with these regulations can have severe financial and legal implications.

Dated: 26 April 2023 Author: Terri Bruce, Partner

Here are some key benefits of having a well-devised customs strategy:

  1. Avoiding legal issues: Customs duty laws and regulations are strict, and not following them can lead to fines, penalties, and other legal issues. Having a customs strategy in place can help you stay compliant with the latest rules and regulations, reducing the risk of legal issues.
  2. Saving money: By reviewing your customs strategy, you can identify areas where you may be paying more than necessary in import duties and taxes. This means you can optimize your import duty costs, save money in the long run, and improve your bottom line.
  3. Improving efficiency: Reviewing your customs strategy can also help you streamline your processes and improve efficiency. For example, identifying areas where you can use free trade agreements or customs regimes may help you avoid unnecessary paperwork and delays, speeding up your import/export process.
  4. Creating effective business strategies: Keeping up-to-date with changes in import duty rates, and adapting your customs strategy accordingly, can give you a competitive advantage and help you stay ahead in the market. By working with professionals who have expertise in this area, you can develop and implement effective business strategies.
  5. Providing peace of mind: Knowing that you have a robust customs strategy in place can provide peace of mind and reduce stress related to customs duty. By working with professionals who can guide you through the process, you can ensure that your business is compliant and optimized for success.


For example

Let’s say you're a business owner who imports materials from overseas to manufacture products that you sell in the UK. You have been paying the same amount of import duty for years without having your customs strategy reviewed or optimised. After seeking professional advice, you discover that there are opportunities to use free trade agreements or customs regimes that can reduce your import duty costs. You also identify other areas where you have been overpaying import duty.

After optimising your customs strategy, you save thousands in import duty costs each year. These cost savings help to improve your bottom line and can even give you a competitive advantage in the market.

This example shows how reviewing your customs strategy can identify opportunities to optimise your import duty costs and save money.

In conclusion, having a robust customs strategy is essential for any business trading internationally or importing or exporting. By staying up-to-date with the latest regulations, optimising import duty costs, improving efficiency, creating effective business strategies, and providing peace of mind, a customs strategy review can help you take your business to the next level.

Need Assistance?

Please contact customsduty@dains.com if you would like to discuss how reviewing your customs strategy.