HMRC opened the consultation in June 2026. It proposes that agents, brokers, freight forwarders and express operators who submit customs declarations for traders must register. Registration would apply across the UK, to imports and exports.
The proposed minimum standards mirror those for tax advisers. They include up-to-date tax affairs, no relevant unspent convictions, no disqualification as a company director and no history of serious customs non-compliance. HMRC would run automated checks at registration and afterwards.
Enforcement would start with guidance and warnings, and could escalate to suspension, financial penalties and, as a last resort, removal of the ability to submit declarations. HMRC says 99% of traders rely solely on an intermediary to declare their trade. The policy is not final.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Introduction of mandatory registration for customs intermediaries (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Customs intermediaries: introduction of mandatory registration (consultation document) (opens in a new tab)
- GOV.UK: Appoint someone to deal with customs on your behalf (opens in a new tab)
A summary of the public sources above, checked when it was published. General information, not legal, tax or financial advice.