Who should carry out a Customs Audit?
Once a business recognises that an independent customs audit is one of the most effective ways to ensure your import and export processes are working, the next question is often: who should actually carry out that audit? It might seem that this can be managed internally or left to their freight forwarder, however, when it comes to customs compliance, the who is just as important as the what.
Can you carry out your own Customs Audit?
Internal reviews can be a useful starting point of course, they allow businesses to sense check processes, review data and identify obvious issues. However, internal audits can have limitations.
Teams are often working within established processes and assumptions. Over time, these become “normal”, which can make it harder to spot underlying risks or inconsistencies. Additionally, internal teams often have a long list of responsibilities and may not always have specialist knowledge across all areas of customs - such as classification, valuation and origin.
After all, what’s the point in checking your own homework if you don’t know what you might be missing?
What about Freight Forwarders or Agents?
Freight forwarders and customs agents play an important role in submitting declaration, but they are working based on the information provided to them. They are not there to check whether that data is correct, their job is to submit it. We often see this at Bethan during a Customs Audit - businesses assume their agent is “handling compliance”, when in reality they are only working with the data provided.
Why independence in a Customs Audit matters.
When our Director, Nicola Alexander, set up Bethan 10 years ago, it was with one clear principle: to remain independent.
We made a deliberate decision to not complete customs declarations, which means we are not reviewing our own work. Bethan’s role is to review your activity and provide a completely objective view of your customs compliance position.
Selecting an independent company to audit your customs declarations ensures an impartial approach to compliance and it gives you a true picture of where you stand.
From talking to business and the wider industry, we often see some level of internal auditing in place, but it is mostly focused on individual checks rather than a broader review. What’s missing is the bigger picture, identifying patterns and trends across declarations; that is where risk can build over time and where issues often sit unnoticed.
What you should expect from a Customs Audit.
An independent customs audit (or at least how we approach it at Bethan), provides:
- a fresh perspective on existing processes
- identification of risks that may not be visible internally
- insight into trends across your customs data
- clear, practical recommendations
At Bethan, we focus on making customs clear, not complicated. We explain findings in plain language, not technical jargon, so you understand not just what the issue is, but what to do about it.
The Role of Bethan in a Customs Audit.
At Bethan, we have spent years listening to our clients, understanding what they need, what they find challenging and how they prefer to receive information. That is why we deliver our audit findings in a way that works for you.
We do not just provide a single report and leave you to interpret it. Instead, we present our findings in multiple ways to ensure clarity and usability across your business:
- a detailed report for those who need the full technical detail
- a summary report highlighting key risks and actions
- a short video walking you through the findings and the way forward
We present our findings in multiple ways, which means the key messages are clear, understood and actionable across your business.
“Bethan provides us with monthly audits, supported by both a report and video. The video summaries have been particularly valuable! With a busy schedule, I can review the findings at a time when I can properly focus on the risks, mitigation and next steps.
At a management level, I don’t need to know all the details. The video gives me a clear view of what really matters, while the full report provides my team with the detail they need for operational review and action.”
Tracy Burns, Materials & Inventory Manager
Bethan’s role in a Customs Audit is not to replace your internal teams or your agents, we work alongside them to give you an independent, practical view of your customs activity. Independence gives you clarity, objectivity and confidence.
If you would like an independent view of your import and export activity, contact us to support you with a structured customs audit tailored to your business.
