When UK border rules changed, many businesses faced new challenges moving goods between the UK and Europe. DFDS Customs responded by supporting customers with expert guidance, helping their products continue to move safely and efficiently across borders.
Our customs team works across a broad range of industries, from forestry to food. We manage a high volume of declarations each month while maintaining exceptional accuracy. Our focus is on scale, consistency, and reliability – even as demand continues to grow.
Scalable processes
Customs generates significant documentation. By moving away from paper-based processes and investing in digital tools – alongside the skills needed to use them effectively – we’ve created faster, more reliable workflows.
Our systems allow teams to prioritise loads based on estimated arrival times, keeping operations organised and predictable. For larger customers, a dedicated account manager provides a single point of contact, ensuring clear communication and a deep understanding of operational requirements.
Coordinated expertise
Timing is critical, particularly for perishable or time-sensitive goods. DFDS’s logistics expertise allows customs and transport teams to work in close alignment, matching declarations with vehicle movements and ferry schedules.
This integrated approach prevents goods from waiting unnecessarily while paperwork catches up, resulting in smoother, faster border crossings.
“When everything sits under one roof, there’s no gap between the transport and the paperwork.” Terry Broadhead, Head of Customs, UK & Ireland, DFDS
This coordination enables rapid turnaround flows, allowing fresh goods to be loaded one day and placed on international supermarket shelves the next.
Cost efficiency through experience
Establishing an in-house customs operation requires specialist systems, trained staff, and constant monitoring of regulatory change. DFDS’s scale allows customers to avoid these costs while still benefiting from expert clearance, a dedicated account manager, and continuous support.
Our team actively looks for opportunities to reduce time and cost, including advising on customs procedures that allow VAT to be deferred until goods reach their final destination.
Confidence in compliance
Compliance is central to DFDS Customs. Robust internal controls, including AI-supported data matching and anomaly checks, underpin our consistently high standards.
“Most companies check only a small sample of their declarations. We check far more. I’d rather identify an issue ourselves than have it found later.” - Terry Broadhead, Head of Customs, UK & Ireland, DFDS
As an Authorised Economic Operator, DFDS meets strict international standards for security and reliability. We voluntarily audit a substantial proportion of our declarations, giving customers confidence that every shipment is handled correctly.
Our services
We provide a full customs brokerage service covering imports and exports across all major UK and EU ports, including:
• Preparation and submission of import and export declarations • Pre-clearance for time-sensitive or perishable goods • Duty and VAT handling using DFDS’s deferment account • Real-time tracking and reporting for key accounts • Guidance on the most cost-effective customs procedures
