Can I use a separate customs broker and forwarder?
Yes. You can arrange transport with a freight forwarder and clearance with a separate customs broker, provided they agree the handover. Define who supplies declaration data, passes on customs release and confirms collection. Give written authority to anyone representing you for customs. Discuss supplier-side paperwork with Cambridge China Bridge.
Agree the split before booking
Ask the forwarder to confirm that it accepts your nominated broker for the arrival port and handling facility. Ask the broker whether it can clear goods through that location and work with the forwarder's shipment references. Put both contacts on the same shipment correspondence before dispatch.
Our guide to sourcing agents, forwarders and customs brokers explains the roles. Here, the practical task is to agree the handover: exclude unwanted clearance services from the freight booking and nominate who will submit the import declaration.
Give each customs representative clear authority
HMRC says anyone acting on your behalf for customs needs written instructions stating whether representation is direct or indirect. Give the broker instructions covering the agreed declaration work. If the forwarder also performs customs work on your behalf, give it written instructions for that work too. A transport booking should not be treated as a substitute for customs instructions.
For a forwarder handling transport only, record the transport scope and permission to exchange shipment documents with the broker. Ask each provider to identify any subcontracted customs representative and how its authority will be documented. Keep copies together with the booking and broker agreement. For sourcing-company coordination, see using your own freight forwarder.
Assign the declaration data
Make the importer the contact for approving classification, value, origin and tax instructions. Ask the supplier for the invoice, packing list and product details; ask the forwarder for the transport document, arrival details, goods location and relevant cargo references. Send the broker a consistent document pack using our customs paperwork checklist.
Ask the broker to identify missing information and confirm which references it needs for the arrival facility. Agree who answers product questions and who answers transport questions. Have changes sent to everyone affected, rather than allowing the forwarder and broker to work from different versions.
Agree who exchanges release messages
Nominate the broker to report declaration acceptance, queries, holds and customs release to the importer and forwarder. Ask it to distinguish an accepted declaration from released goods. Agree the shipment reference, message format and contact used for each update, including changes outside normal office hours.
Where an inventory-linked facility is involved, ask the broker and forwarder to confirm how declaration references and release status reach its cargo record. Ask the handling facility which release evidence it needs. Request confirmation that it can see the release against the correct consignment before arranging collection.
Confirm collection separately
Treat customs release, carrier document release and the collection booking as separate checks. Ask the forwarder to confirm that the carrier's document requirements and agreed charges are settled, that the terminal or warehouse will release the cargo, and who issues the collection reference or delivery order. Our guide to bills of lading and cargo release explains the transport-document side.
Name who gives the haulier the instruction to collect, usually the forwarder under the agreed transport booking. Before sending a vehicle, ask for written confirmation of collection readiness and the necessary references. If someone says the goods are cleared but cannot confirm collection, identify the outstanding customs, carrier or facility issue and assign someone to resolve it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my own customs broker with a forwarder?
Yes. Confirm before booking that the forwarder accepts your broker and that the broker can clear through the chosen arrival facility. Agree the document and release-message handover.
Do I need to authorise both companies?
Give written customs instructions to each company performing customs work on your behalf, stating direct or indirect representation. For a transport-only forwarder, agree transport scope and document sharing.
Who gives the customs broker the shipment details?
Agree a shared document pack: the importer approves declaration instructions, the supplier provides commercial and product details, and the forwarder provides transport and cargo references.
Can my haulier collect as soon as customs clears?
Ask the forwarder to confirm collection readiness first. Check customs release, carrier document release, facility permission and the collection reference before sending the vehicle.