HMRC published a new Customs Intermediaries Standard on 04/06/2026, setting out what good practice should look like for organisations preparing and submitting customs declarations on behalf of traders.
PAS 41201:2026 is voluntary and does not create new legal obligations. It does, however, give importers and exporters a useful benchmark when choosing a customs intermediary, helping them assess standards around due diligence, record keeping, transparency and communication.
What Has Been Published
PAS 41201:2026 applies to customs intermediaries operating in the UK. This includes customs agents, freight forwarders, express operators, warehouse operators and hauliers where they prepare and submit customs declarations for others.
The Standard covers areas including due diligence, continuing professional development, systems, processes, data management and transparency. It also sets expectations around how intermediaries are appointed, how instructions are handled, how declaration records are maintained, and how clearly services and charges are explained.
For traders, one of the most important points is that a customs intermediary should not simply process information without proper checks. The right intermediary should be able to explain its processes, check documentation, maintain accurate records and communicate clearly on declaration status.
Why It Matters for Traders
Customs declarations remain a key compliance area for importers and exporters. Even where an intermediary completes a declaration on behalf of a trader, incorrect commodity codes, origin details, customs values or goods descriptions can still create risk.
Errors may lead to delayed goods, incorrect duty payments, amendment costs or later HMRC compliance activity. For businesses moving goods regularly, even small data issues can become a larger operational problem if they are repeated across multiple declarations.
The new Standard gives traders a clearer way to assess whether their current customs intermediary is operating with the right level of due diligence, evidence keeping and transparency. It also helps businesses ask more informed questions when reviewing their customs support.
Thames Valley Perspective
For UK businesses customs accuracy is not just an administrative issue. Many companies across the UK move high value, specialist or time sensitive goods through major trade routes, including Heathrow, Liverpool and Southampton.
As a Centre of Excellence for global trade, Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce welcomes the focus on raising expectations across the customs intermediary sector. Clear communication, trained staff, reliable systems and properly evidenced declarations all support smoother international trade.
How TVCC Can Help
At TVCC, our ChamberCustoms service is built around these principles. We handle import and export declarations on behalf of traders across the Thames Valley region, helping businesses access specialist customs support without needing to manage every customs process in house.
Our team can also help businesses review their current declaration processes, check whether data and documentation are ready for submission, and understand the questions they should be asking of any customs intermediary.
For more information about ChamberCustoms declarations, visit HERE
Or contact our trade team on 01753 870560 or email trade@tvchamber.co.uk.
Read the original source HERE
