Customs Clerk UK & Ireland
Location: Birmingham Airport (Office Based)
Salary: £36,500 per annum + up to £3,500 annual night shift allowance
About the Role
My client is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Customs Clerk to support the seamless movement of time-critical freight from European gateways into the UK and onward to Ireland.
Based at their Birmingham Airport office, this role is central to ensuring import and export operations are completed accurately, compliantly, and efficiently. Working in a fast-paced environment, you will play a key role in maintaining smooth customs processes and supporting the timely delivery of freight across international borders.
Key Responsibilities
- Process export documentation within strict operational deadlines (target: within 30 minutes of receipt)
- Prepare transportation documentation and manifests for nightly operations
- Ensure export clearances and manifests are accurate to prevent delays in onward customs clearance
- Liaise with customs authorities and customers to resolve operational and compliance queries
- Complete safety and security declarations in accordance with regulatory requirements
- Support the preparation of Air Waybills (AWBs) and flight manifests
- Maintain accurate reporting for transactional charging, including import, export, screening, and handling activities
- Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within customs and operational processes
Experience & Knowledge
- Minimum 1 years' experience in customs compliance, import/export operations, or customs brokerage
- Experience working within air freight and road freight environments
- Strong understanding of UK and international import/export regulations
- Experience using HMRC and Border Force systems, including CHIEF and CDS
- Relevant qualification in Customs, International Trade, Logistics, or Import/Export Operations (preferred)
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent attention to detail and a high level of accuracy
- Strong organisational and time-management skills
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions under pressure
- Commercial awareness and understanding of the operational impact of freight delays
Working Hours
This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week across five days.
The operation runs 24 hours a day, and shifts are worked on a 2 week rotating basis. Flexibility is essential.
Typical shift patterns include:
- 06:00am – 14:00pm
- 13:00pm – 15:00pm
- 15:00pm – 23:00pm
- 17:00 pm– 01:00am
- 22:00pm – 06:00am
Benefits
- Up to £3,500 annual night shift allowance (where applicable)
- 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Birthday leave
- Health Cash Plan
- Free onsite parking
- Employee discount schemes and regular team social events
- Stable, well-organised working environment
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
What You'll Bring
- Proven operational experience within a logistics, freight forwarding, customs, or international trade environment
- A resourceful approach to overcoming challenges and maintaining service levels
- A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on efficiency and compliance
- A strong customer-focused attitude and commitment to service excellence