Preparing for a Customs Audit
This course is designed to help traders prepare for HMRC audits, ensuring their understanding and compliance with customs regulations. It will cover essential procedural requirements and key areas of focus in audits, such as valuation, origin preference, VAT, evidence of export, the use of special procedures (IP/OP), and Returned Goods Relief (RGR). Delegates will leave with a practical checklist to support thorough preparation for HMRC’s customs audits.
Description
With increased scrutiny from HMRC, the responsibility for customs compliance rests firmly on businesses themselves. HMRC expects traders to maintain a high standard of awareness and compliance and be audit-ready at any time, with severe consequences for those who fall short. This one-day course equips you with essential knowledge and tools to confidently prepare for an HMRC customs audit, helping you avoid costly penalties and disruptions to your operations.
We’ll cover standard procedural requirements, documentation retention, and the skills necessary to self-audit, allowing your company to manage compliance proactively rather than wait for HMRC to uncover gaps. The course will focus on key risk areas in customs, including Origin & Preference, Classification, Valuation, and interpreting customs entries, which is essential to meeting HMRC’s exacting standards. You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of the Three Pillars of Customs Compliance, their impact on your business, and how to implement best practices within these pillars to demonstrate to HMRC that your processes capture all required official and commercial evidence.
In addition, we’ll examine the complexities of Customs Special Procedures such as Inward Processing, Customs Warehousing, and other special regimes. You’ll gain insights into what HMRC looks for in these areas and how to manage duty reliefs effectively. We’ll also discuss Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status, exploring the advantages and risks involved and how a customs audit for an AEO-accredited business can have significant consequences if compliance is lacking.
This course is an essential guide for any business involved in importing or exporting, as each transaction brings exposure to potential HMRC customs audits. It provides a comprehensive roadmap to compliance, equipping you to safeguard your business against significant risks and consequences of non-compliance.
Course Structure and Key Topics
The course runs from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, including regular breaks and a lunch break.
This course is designed to be highly interactive, with quizzes, activities, and Q&A sessions. We encourage delegates to actively engage with the course tutor throughout the day, fostering a dynamic learning environment where everyone's input is valued. This interactive approach ensures that you not only understand the course material but also learn how to apply it in real-world scenarios.
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Gain a clear understanding of what a Customs Audit is and how to meet HMRC Customs Audit requirements.
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Understand the roles and responsibilities involved in the Customs Audit process.
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Learn the importance of maintaining compliant records for imports, exports, and EU trade.
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Develop skills in writing procedures, internal guidelines, and conducting self-audits to support compliance.
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Understand key criteria, provide necessary information, and clarify freight companies' responsibilities to prepare effectively for audits.
Identify the specific areas and procedures HMRC may audit, such as:
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VAT evidence of export
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The Customs Audit checklist and AEO conditions
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Classification of goods and valuation issues
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Preference rules at export and import
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Special customs procedures (Inward Processing, Outward Processing, Customs Warehousing, Temporary Admission) and understanding HMRC's perspective on your international trade activities.
Testimonials
"The instructor was great and very interactive. Every question we had was always answered. I learnt everything I needed and very happy with the outcome of the course." 10/03/2025
"Even though I had very little knowledge on this subject, the course was easy to follow and I loved the interactive sections." Berry Global 19/09/2024
"The way the instructors presented and interacted with the attendees during the course made everything easy to understand even for those with less experience in Customs." 12/07/2024
"It was very easy to understand and keep track of the subject. Examples from practical experience (on a no name basis of course) were very interesting." 07/05/2024
"Presenter was very good and explained well - excellent." - 11/05/2023
Who Should Consider this Course?
This course is ideal for professionals at both import and export levels, particularly those in senior management roles responsible for ensuring compliance with customs regulations. It’s designed for Logistics Managers, Supply Chain Directors, Customs Compliance Officers, and Operations Managers who oversee international trade activities and need a clear understanding of the customs audit process. Additionally, Finance and Risk Managers who play a role in customs compliance and internal auditing will benefit from gaining insights into HMRC audit criteria, record-keeping requirements, and the specific responsibilities involved. This course will empower leaders to prepare their teams for audits confidently, manage responsibilities across departments, and ensure robust internal controls to meet all customs requirements.
Why the Strong & Herd Course is Unique
What distinguishes Strong & Herd training courses is our commitment to empowering participants to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, enabling them to take a proactive approach in their job roles. Our courses are led by industry experts with extensive practical experience in international trade, ensuring participants gain valuable insights and expertise.