"Are you entirely confident in the last three years of your customs declarations?
This is the period HMRC will typically review for standard customs checks, which are on the rise – with AI increasingly being used to identify declaration errors. Often, businesses have a general understanding of their customs activity during this time, but lack the detailed evidence required during an audit.
Engaging an independent third party to support compliance checks enables you to identify and correct issues early. You may be able to avoid penalties through voluntary disclosure, which is actively encouraged by HMRC. This means, as a forward-thinking compliance or supply chain manager, you can protect your organisation from financial and reputational risk by taking a proactive approach. A review is also an opportunity to analyse the current flows and identify opportunities for savings, improvements or efficiencies – audits do not have to be scary. "
- Anna Doherty, Customs Practice Director, Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade