Career Advice for a Customs Broker

As a Customs Broker, you will be responsible for ensuring that goods are imported and exported legally and efficiently, while complying with customs regulations.

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How to Become a Customs Broker

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Customs Broker

Should you wish to work as a Customs Broker you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Customs Broker

  • A Level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Customs Practice and Procedures.
  • Experience in customs clearance procedures.
  • Knowledge of customs regulations and procedures.
  • Strong communication and negotiation skills.

Key Responsibilities for a Customs Broker

  • Preparing and submitting customs declarations.
  • Classifying goods according to customs regulations.
  • Calculating and paying customs duties and taxes.
  • Liaising with customs officials and clients.
  • Providing advice on customs regulations and procedures.
  • Keeping up-to-date with changes in customs regulations and procedures.

What to expect as a Customs Broker

As a Customs Broker in the UK, you could work for customs agencies, freight forwarders, or import/export companies.

Recommended Customs Broker Jobs

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How to get Customs Broker Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Customs Broker job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Customs Broker application. If you have not held a Customs Broker position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Customs Broker role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Customs Broker CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Customs Broker application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Customs Broker in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Customs Broker 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Customs Broker and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Customs Broker experience.

How to get Customs Broker Experience

What does it take to be a Customs Broker? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Customs Broker jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Customs Broker through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Customs Broker Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Customs Broker part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Customs Broker or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Customs Broker freelance work

If you have impressive Customs Broker qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.