RETAIL
SOLUTIONS

SEAMLESS CUSTOMS SOLUTIONS:
EMPOWERING HIGH-STREET & LUXURY FASHION

Globalisation and the increase in outsourcing to cost-effective overseas labour has reshaped the UK retail scene. As a result, the most successful UK retailers are also the UK's leading importers and exporters.

In the fast-paced world of fashion, navigating global supply chains and customs regulations is key to staying ahead. In a sector where high customs duties can negatively impact profit margins, smart businesses seek solutions within their supply chain strategy and use innovative customs processes, combined with technological advancements to convert customs processing into a commercial advantage over competitors.

WHY DOES CUSTOMS MATTER?

A retailer strictly following legal procedures but facing unnecessary import duties shares similar commercial risks with one that, while paying less in duties, operates in a non-compliant matter.

INCREASED MARGINS

Each time goods cross a customs border, a margin is potentially lost in import duty. Even the most efficient apparel supply chains will move materials across borders at least 5 times during the production process.

By reducing import duty throughout the supply chain, you can maximise margin against the final sale.

SPEED TO MARKET

Embracing sophisticated customs regimes can create more strategic options, that in-turn allow for better decision making as to where goods are sourced and distributed from.

Comparatively, traditional supply chains are more likely to suffer from administratively burdensome processes and have consequently designed their business around lengthy production timelines.

LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY

Any business that imports or exports goods has a legal responsibility to accurately declare goods to customs authorities and pay the correct amount of import duty and tax.

Whether or not intentional, harsh penalties are given to businesses who fail to fulfill their obligations and act in a non-compliant manner.

"We truly appreciate the support BKR provided us on a preferential origin project. Their support allowed for a significant step forward in unlocking further duty savings for Brooks Sports."

Tineke Guerrero Meeuws

Director of Trade Compliance

Brooks Sports Inc.

NAVIGATING CHALLENGES

Some of the common challenges even leading brands encounter

From large multinational PLCs to local SMEs, our extensive experience in the retail sector has illuminated recurring challenges that businesses in this domain repeatedly face

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Over-Paying
Import Duties

Apparel and footwear products incur some of the highest duty rates in the tariff.

Whether you're a retailer or a manufacturer, implementing a strategy to minimise duty expenses is crucial for maximising profitability.

Accessing
Preferential Trade

The phenomenon of globalization has led to mills and factories being frequently situated in locations distant from the sources of raw materials.

Consequently, numerous importers find themselves unable to take advantage of preferential trade agreements.

Managing
Samples

Antiquated sampling relief procedures mean businesses are often torn between honoring environmental and sustainability pledges, whilst balancing the costs of moving samples across customs borders.

With a lot of samples being donated to charities or heavily discounted for staff purchases or sample sales, an essential industry function can inadvertently become the cause of concerning non-compliant activity.

Complex
Classification

Classifying footwear and apparel can be deceptively difficult.

Due to the high duty rates associated with these products, misclassification often poses both a financial and compliance threat.

OUR SOLUTIONS

Uniquely constructed for high-street and luxury fashion

A dedicated compliance resource is a luxury. However, retail businesses have some of the highest risks of non-compliance and rarely have sufficient resources to monitor and oversee their legal responsibilities as importers or exporters.

RETAIL SUPPORT PACKAGE #1

FULL OR PARTIAL OUTSOURCED
COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

How could this service benefit my business?

  • Detect and resolve compliance threats prior to HMRC audits
  • Identification of short and long-term duty saving opportunities
  • Acquisition of expert technical support on a part or full time basis

What is the scope of this service? 
Industry specific customs expertise can be hard to come by and depending on the size of your organisation, it may not be a full time requirement. However, investment in customs expertise can have a tangible impact in regards to reducing costs and avoiding any compliance risks that could ultimately cost the business in the future.

Signs this will benefit your business:

  • Customs declarations are not retained or checked by a member of staff
  • You have noticed unexplained inconsistencies in duty payments
  • You are unaware of what procedure codes are being used
  • No one internally is responsible for managing customs responsibilities
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RETAIL SUPPORT PACKAGE #2

DUTY OPTIMISATION
ASSESSMENTS

How could this service benefit my business?

  • Improve margin without a reduction in resource
  • Identification of duty saving strategies on future transactions
  • Identification of opportunities to recover import duties previously overpaid in error

What is the scope of this service? 
Finance, logistics, buying and sales are incomparable within their day-to-day function, but share an equal responsibility when it comes to managing import duty expenditure. Not addressing the overlap between these areas is consequently why so many businesses overpay on import duty and unnecessarily forfeit valuable margin gains.

Signs this will benefit your business:

  • You are looking at opportunities to reduce costs an increase margin
  • Your import duty spend has increased exponentially
  • You store or manufacture goods in your own facilities
  • You have a notable percentage of sales outside the UK
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RETAIL SUPPORT PACKAGE #3

TECHNICAL & COMPLIANCE
AUDITS

How could this service benefit my business?

  • Reduce compliance risk by verifying the effectiveness of day-to-day operational processes
  • Validation of classification and origin data to ensure accuracy
  • Identify weaknesses in knowledge and compliance management

What is the scope of this service? 
A self-conducted technical and compliance audit allows an independent third-party to replicate the same assessment in which a business would be subject to if selected for audit by HMRC. As a result, corrective actions can be implemented without penalisation and can be used favorably to evidence continuous self-improvement.

Signs this will benefit your business:

  • There is a general lack of customs expertise within the business
  • Post-BREXIT customs processes have been constructed internally
  • Customs data has not been verified or tested by a third-party
  • The business has not been audited by HMRC in the past 3 years
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LOOKING FOR MORE?

We provide a full suite of customs advisory, technical expertise and resource services. From customs classifcation, to AEO and procedure applications, we have it covered. For more information on our services, please visit our What We Do page.  

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"We are thrilled with the progress BKR has helped us make and already have plans to keep the momentum going and capitalise on some of the recommendations that have been made."

EMMALENE MAXWELL

Chief Financial Officer

The Fold London Ltd

WORKING WITH BKR

Empowering our clients to focus on what makes them succesful.

BKR Consultants Ltd provides professional and practical guidance on all matters associated with customs clearance, customs compliance and supply chain efficiency.

Our primary goal is to work with our clients to achieve an optimal budget for import duty, all the while mitigating compliance risks for the business.

We achieve this by delivering strategic customs guidance and leveraging expert customs resources, to fulfill a capability many businesses find challenging to develop internally. ‍

OUR TEAM


Our team possesses expertise across diverse areas, including health and regulatory affairs from APHA, extensive experience in large business unit management within HMRC, customs brokerage, and leadership roles within large multinational businesses and member associations.
‍

MEET THE TEAM

TOBY SPINK

Director

GEORGIE HALLS

Customs & Trade Advisor

DAUD AHMED

Customs & Trade Advisor

CHRIS STARNS

Customs & Trade Advisor

PHIL COOKE

Data Analyst

GERARD PEARCE

Finance Advisor

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I check if my business is over paying on
import duty?
How can I avoid the misclassification of
imported products?
How much does it cost to have a compliance
manager?
How can I find the import classification code
of my product?

NEW CUSTOMERS

SCHEDULE YOUR
‍FREE CONSULTATION

Let us know a little bit about how we can help and one of our customs experts will be in touch to arrange a consultation at the next mutually convenient date.

Contact us using the details below, or simply fill out the contact form:

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Please contact us via email (enquiries@bkrconsultants.com) 
or by telephone: +44 (0)2030 962879

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