Fine Art Customs Manager

  • Freightserve
  • Oct 08, 2025
Full time Transportation Automotive

Job Description

Freightserve recruitment are looking for a Customs Manager who is experienced within Fine Arts. The company is based in the North West London area.

Job Description:-

We are seeking an experienced and meticulous Customs Manager to lead The customs operations. This is a crucial management position responsible for the complete customs lifecycle of all shipments-road, sea, and air-ensuring full compliance with international trade laws and specific regulations governing cultural property. Previous experience within the fine art shipping sector is essential.

Customs Operations & Management

Road Freight Expertise: Directly oversee and ensure the compliant execution of customs procedures for all road freight movements, including the accurate raising of import entries (permanent, temporary, and under relief) and the timely and accurate discharging (acquittal) of T-forms (Transit Documents) to avoid customs penalties.

Air and Sea Oversight: Act as the final authority for all customs declarations related to air and sea freight import shipments, ensuring proper valuation, classification, and application of specific regimes.

Compliance and Risk Management: Take ultimate responsibility for the company's entire customs compliance program. Proactively monitor changes in customs regulations, trade agreements, and specific cultural property laws to mitigate risk.

Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and train a small, dedicated customs team, setting performance standards and ensuring procedural consistency across all modes of transport.

Specialised Procedures & Record Keeping

Temporary Admission (TA) Management: Oversee the entire process for art imported under Temporary Admission (TA), including maintaining meticulous records, monitoring expiry deadlines, and ensuring timely re-export or change of regime.

Bonded Warehouse Control: Manage and maintain the integrity of our bonded warehouse (Customs Warehouse) records and inventory control system, ensuring full compliance with customs audit requirements for goods held under duty and tax suspension.

Audits and Reporting: Serve as the primary point of contact for external customs audits, providing detailed documentation and comprehensive reports to satisfy regulatory bodies.

Essential Requirements:-

Sector Experience is Mandatory: A minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in customs management, with at least 2 years in the fine art shipping, logistics, or cultural sector specifically.

Technical Proficiency: Extensive practical knowledge of import/export customs regimes, valuation, classification (HS Codes), and experience with the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS).

Regulatory Acumen: Deep understanding of complex customs procedures, including Temporary Admission (TA), Customs Warehousing, and specific cultural goods regulations.

Management Skills: Proven ability to lead, develop, and manage a small, high-performing team.

As an agency we are fast becoming the number one Freight specialist in the UK. We have a fast growing reputation with most Freight related companies. Freightserve has been established since 1992 working within the Freight Forwarding and Shipping industry.