How to Become an Import Export Specialist in the UK
Import export specialists make sure goods cross borders legally and on time. You might classify products with commodity codes, calculate duty and VAT, prepare customs declarations and export documents, check licences and rules of origin, and agree shipping terms with suppliers, freight forwarders and customers. Since Brexit, this work covers trade with the EU as well as the rest of the world.
Most people start in a shipping, customs or logistics administration role and learn on the job. Some employers prefer a degree, but it is not essential, and short professional courses in customs and international trade carry real weight.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £28,000 - £34,000
- Mid-career salary
- £36,000 - £48,000
- Senior salary
- £55,000 - £75,000
- Work environment
- Office
- Time to entry
- 1 - 3 years
- Degree required
- Preferred
- Category
- Logistics and Supply Chain
Compare pay across careers in the UK salaries by career report. Also in: Career change.
What a Import Export Specialist does
Manage customs, duty, documentation and shipping arrangements for international trade.
How to become an import export specialist in the UK
Start in an entry-level role such as shipping administrator, customs entry clerk or logistics coordinator, with a manufacturer, retailer, freight forwarder or customs broker. Learn HMRC procedures, including EORI numbers, commodity codes, the Customs Declaration Service, customs valuation and duty reliefs, alongside the ICC's Incoterms rules. The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) offers recognised qualifications in international trade and customs, and the British International Freight Association (BIFA) runs freight and customs training. Apprenticeships in freight forwarding and international trade are also available. Language skills help if you deal with overseas suppliers.
- Apply for a shipping administrator, customs entry clerk, export coordinator or freight forwarding assistant role to learn documentation on live shipments.
- Learn to classify goods using the UK Trade Tariff on GOV.UK, find the correct commodity code and work out the duty and import VAT due.
- Get confident with Incoterms 2020, rules of origin under UK trade agreements, export licences and documents such as commercial invoices and certificates of origin.
- Take a recognised course from the Institute of Export & International Trade or BIFA, which employers use to judge customs and trade knowledge.
- Learn how declarations are made through HMRC's Customs Declaration Service, and how customs special procedures and duty reliefs can cut costs.
- Build language skills or knowledge of a particular market, which helps when you deal with overseas suppliers, agents and customs brokers.
| Route | How long | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level shipping or customs admin role | 1-3 years to specialist | Paid | School leavers and career changers |
| Freight forwarding or international trade apprenticeship | 12-24 months | Paid by the employer | Learning while working |
| Degree in business, logistics or languages, then trade role | 3 years, plus 1-2 years' experience | Tuition fee loan | Graduates aiming for trade compliance |
| IOE&IT or BIFA courses alongside work | Days to months | Varies; often employer-funded | Adding formal credentials |
How long it takes
You can usually start in a shipping or customs admin role straight away, and most people become a confident import export specialist within one to three years.
Import Export Specialist salary in the UK
Import export specialists usually start on around £28,000 to £34,000. With a few years' experience and responsibility for customs compliance, pay rises to about £36,000 to £48,000, and trade compliance managers or heads of customs earn roughly £55,000 to £75,000. Pay depends on the volume and complexity of the trade you handle, whether you work for an importer, exporter or customs broker, and regional demand around ports and airports.
Key skills
- Customs / HMRC procedures
- Incoterms
- Documentation
- Languages helpful
Import Export Specialist FAQs
How do I become an import export specialist in the UK?
Start in a shipping, customs or logistics administration role and learn HMRC customs procedures, commodity codes and Incoterms on live shipments. Courses from the Institute of Export & International Trade or BIFA help you move up into specialist and compliance roles.
Do I need a degree to work in import and export?
No. Many specialists start without one and learn on the job. Some employers prefer a degree in business, logistics or languages, but practical customs knowledge and recognised trade qualifications often count for more.
How much does an import export specialist earn in the UK?
Starting pay is around £28,000 to £34,000. Experienced specialists earn about £36,000 to £48,000, and trade compliance managers or heads of customs reach roughly £55,000 to £75,000, depending on employer and the complexity of the trade.
What does a customs broker do?
A customs broker, sometimes called a customs agent, makes customs declarations to HMRC on behalf of importers and exporters. Many import export specialists work for brokers or freight forwarders, while others manage customs in-house for a manufacturer or retailer.
Is Import Export Specialist right for you?
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Still deciding whether import export specialist is the career for you? Here is which career test is actually worth taking, and what a free quiz will not tell you.