Customs Declarant Next Gen

About Customs Support Group

Customs Support Group (CSG) is Europe’s leading independent customs services provider. Founded in 1964, we operate in 14 European countries with 100+ offices and a team of 1,700+ customs professionals.

We help companies move goods across borders smoothly and compliantly, taking the pressure out of customs.

What we do: We support more than 60,000 clients and process over 20 million declaration lines each year.

From day-to-day customs declarations to compliance, duty optimization and trade advice, we make cross-border trade easier and more predictable.

How we work: We combine local customs expertise with modern digital tools to handle large volumes accurately and at speed.

Our technology helps teams work smarter, reduces manual effort, and improves turnaround times. In markets like the UK, this already led to clear productivity gains.

Why it matter: Customs rules are becoming more complex and mistakes are costly. Delays, compliance risks and unclear regulations can slow businesses down.

CSG helps clients stay compliant, reduce risk and keep their supply chains moving.

Purpose of the Role

Responsible for the accurate, timely, and compliant handling of customs declarations, using automated systems, data analysis, and risk assessment. The declarant acts as a specialist advisor for clients, colleagues, and government authorities, and actively contributes to the optimization of customs processes.

Core Tasks

Operational

• Prepare, check, and submit customs declarations (import, export, and transit).
• Ensure compliance with national and European customs legislation.
• Handle customs-related queries and discrepancies.
• Manage permits and customs procedures.
• Maintain contact with Customs authorities, NVWA (Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority), clients, and logistics partners.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Identify compliance risks.
• Carry out internal checks and audits.
• Support AEO certifications and customs compliance programs.
• Safeguard data and file quality.

Data & Automation

• Work with advanced declaration software and AI-supported systems.
• Monitor exceptions via dashboards.
• Analyze customs data to identify risks and areas for improvement.
• Contribute to process optimization and digitalization.

Advisory & Consultancy

• Advise clients on customs legislation, classification, and origin.
• Support commercial departments with complex client matters.

Responsibilities

• Accurate and timely submission of declarations.
• Compliance with laws and regulations.
• Quality of customs files.
• Reduction of operational risks and penalties.
• Active contribution to process improvements.

Requirements

Subject-matter

• Knowledge of the Union Customs Code (UCC).
• Tariff classification (HS/TARIC).
• Preferential origin.
• Customs value.
• Permits and special procedures.

Personal

• Strong analytical skills.
• Problem-solving ability.
• Customer-focused.
• Accurate.
• Decisive.
• Open to change.
• Strong communication skills.

Digital Skills

• Experience with customs systems.
• Affinity for AI and process automation.
• Strong digital skills.

Education and Experience

Education

• MBO+/HBO working and thinking level (Dutch vocational/applied higher education level).
• Vocational training as a Declarant.
• Additional training in the field of Customs.

Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in customs processes.
• Experience with automated declaration processes.
• Experience with client contact and compliance matters.

KPIs

• Declaration quality (% error-free declarations).
• Timely handling of files.
• Audit and compliance results.
• Customer satisfaction.
• Reduction of manual corrections.
• Contribution to process improvements and automation.

Future Role Development

The Customs Declarant is evolving from an executing specialist into a Customs Compliance & Trade Advisor who:

• Reviews AI-driven declarations rather than processing them manually.
• Assesses exceptions and risks.
• Advises clients strategically.
• Turns data into management information.
• Fulfills a key role within international supply chains.