UK TRADE FURNISHINGS LTD
Import & Container Control Administrator
Howden, East Riding of Yorkshire | Full-time, Permanent | £32,000 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday
Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays
Pension: Auto-enrolment workplace pension; salary sacrifice available
Reports to: Head of Logistics
About the role
UK Trade Furnishings Ltd is expanding its Transport & Logistics operation and we are looking for an experienced Import & Container Control Administrator to take ownership of the day-to-day control of our growing container import programme through Felixstowe and London Gateway.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in customs clearance, freight forwarding, container shipping, import administration, customs brokerage or port logistics who wants to move into an in-house role with genuine responsibility and autonomy.
You will ensure imported containers have the correct documentation, customs clearance and releases in place before collection, working closely with our freight forwarder, customs agents, shipping lines, overseas suppliers and internal transport team.
Key responsibilities
- Oversee customs clearance for imported containers handled by our appointed freight forwarder and customs agents.
- Check commercial invoices, packing lists and Bills of Lading ahead of arrival.
- Monitor customs declarations and MRNs through to release.
- Maintain accurate commodity code, customs value and country-of-origin information.
- Support correct import VAT treatment, including Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA).
- Monitor vessel arrivals, container availability and discharge through Felixstowe and London Gateway.
- Manage shipping-line and port/inventory releases and ensure containers are fully released before a vehicle is dispatched.
- Coordinate empty-container return instructions and deadlines.
- Maintain an accurate live container-control schedule.
- Monitor free-time periods and help prevent avoidable demurrage, detention, quay rent and storage charges.
- Check and challenge incorrect shipping-line, port, forwarder and customs-agent charges.
- Work closely with the Transport Planner to prioritise collections and time-critical shipments.
What we're looking for
We are looking for someone with practical hands-on experience in UK imports and customs, ideally gained in freight forwarding, customs clearance, container shipping, shipping lines, port logistics or import/export operations.
- Good working knowledge of UK customs and import documentation.
- Experience working with freight forwarders or customs agents.
- Working understanding of Postponed VAT Accounting.
- Familiarity with HMRC Customs Declaration Service (CDS), or confidence to become proficient quickly.
- Good understanding of shipping-line procedures, demurrage and detention.
- Strong administration, organisational and Microsoft Excel skills.
- Confidence communicating with suppliers, forwarders, shipping lines, customs agents and internal teams.
- Ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines at the same time.
- Proactive approach to resolving problems.
Desirable experience
- Felixstowe and London Gateway container imports.
- Destin8 or other inventory-linked port processes.
- Shipping-line portals, freight-forwarding systems and customs-agent systems.
- Transport Management Systems and container tracking tools.
- Imports from Asia and China.
- Commodity classification, customs valuation and Incoterms.
- Rules of origin and preferential duty claims.
- Duty deferment accounts and customs guarantees.
- Relevant customs or international trade qualification.
Cross-training & progression
Our Import & Container Control Administrator and Transport Planner will work as two closely connected positions. You will be trained in daily transport planning so you can provide operational cover when required, while also cross-training the Transport Planner in day-to-day import and container control. This gives the successful candidate the opportunity to broaden their experience beyond imports into in-house transport and logistics operations.
How success will be measured
- Complete and correct documentation before arrival.
- Customs clearance completed on time with duty and VAT correctly treated.
- Shipping-line and port releases in place before vehicle dispatch.
- Containers collected within available free-time periods.
- Empty containers returned within required deadlines.
- No avoidable demurrage, detention, quay rent or storage charges.
- Import-control processes documented and reliably coverable.
Why join UK Trade Furnishings Ltd?
We are investing in our people, systems and logistics capability as our import volumes grow. Rather than simply administering somebody else's process, you will have the opportunity to take ownership of our import and container-control operation and help shape how it develops. You will work closely with the Head of Logistics and Transport Planner as we strengthen our in-house logistics function.
How to apply
Apply through Indeed with your CV and a short summary of your relevant customs, shipping, freight-forwarding or import experience.
Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role. UK Trade Furnishings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. No agencies please.
Pay: £32,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
