Entry-Level Customs CV in 2025
You are preparing an entry-level customs CV and want to show relevant experience even if you are new to the role. This guide explains what to include, how to structure each section, and gives concrete UK-adapted examples you can adapt to your background.
Building a Customs Broker resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
CV Profile for an entry-level customs broker
Write a 2-3 sentence profile that clearly states your goal and the value you bring to a UK customs team. Focus on relevant coursework, internships, freight or logistics support, or customer-facing roles that relate to customs procedures.
Use one sentence to state your objective, and one to highlight two strengths, such as familiarity with import/export paperwork and experience coordinating carriers. Mention your right to work in the UK and willingness to comply with HMRC procedures.
Work Experience / Experience on a UK CV
List roles in reverse chronological order and emphasise tasks that map to broker duties, such as preparing shipping documents, declarations, tracking shipments, and communicating with carriers. For each role include the employer, location, dates (DD/MM/YYYY format), and 3-5 short achievement‑oriented bullets that quantify results where possible.
If you lack direct customs experience, include logistics, supply chain internships, or administrative roles where you handled documentation, vendor relations, or compliance support. Reference UK systems like CDS or CHIEF where applicable.
Education and Qualifications
Begin with your highest UK qualification, listing the institution, the degree or certificate, and the graduation date in DD/MM/YYYY format. Include relevant coursework such as international trade, supply chain management, or UK/EU tariffs, and list any licences or certifications (for example, a UK customs or logistics certificate from a recognised professional body).
If you are preparing to sit licensing exams, note your study progress and expected test date to show commitment. If you studied in the UK, reference GCSEs, A‑levels, UCAS, and any degrees from Russell Group universities as appropriate.
Key Skills to Feature
Show a concise skills section that blends technical skills and soft skills relevant to customs brokering. Technical examples include tariff classification, Incoterms, Harmonised System familiarity, CDS or CHIEF exposure, and Excel for data reconciliation.
Soft skills to list are attention to detail, clear communication, and the ability to work under deadline pressure. Include statements on right to work and familiarity with UK paperwork such as import declarations.
How to Demonstrate Relevant Experience Without Direct Brokerage Roles
Translate non-broker roles into relevant achievements by focusing on transferable tasks, such as managing shipping documentation, processing invoices, or resolving carrier issues. Use action verbs and measurable outcomes, for example, reduced invoice errors by 40% or cut processing time by 25%.
Frame your achievements to show how you would support a UK customs team and comply with CDS/UK customs requirements.
Additional Tips
- 1If you lack direct customs experience, create a short Projects or Relevant Experience section that highlights university projects, volunteering, or temporary assignments where you handled invoices, international shipments, or compliance checks. Describe the task, your role, and the outcome in two concise sentences to make the relevance clear.