Import & Export Compliance

Navigate Regulations with Confidence

International trade comes with complex regulations and strict compliance requirements. Having first-hand experience trading across 25 countries and 49 US states, I assist businesses in importing, exporting, and brokering trade goods while ensuring they meet legal requirements. Whether it’s customs declarations, regulatory approvals, or shipping documents, I help clients avoid costly mistakes and keep goods moving smoothly.

From everyday goods to dual-use, controlled, military list, and specialist projects, I offer practical support for businesses working with international trade regulations and compliance challenges. Whether you’re a startup or an established business, I provide strategic guidance to help you navigate the complexities of global trade, ensuring your shipping and cargoes are effected properly and efficiently.

How we can help…

Form-filling & Customs declarations

Case study: Sticking to her guns (well, pen knives)

Jerry owns a growing Outdoor Sports brand. Among other things, she designs and imports pen knives for camping and outdoor work. To her horror, her first large shipment was detained by Border Force, who asserted they were illegal to import. A discrepancy on her Customs Declaration by the Chinese manufacturer also weakened her position.

I assisted Jerry with focused, specific and calm communication with Border Force. This enabled them to correctly classify the goods and accept that the discrepancy did not affect the legality of the shipment. The import was approved and sold out in 3 weeks. More are on the way.

Importing, exporting and brokering

Case study: Breathing easily

Arvinder specialises in surplus goods. At the start of the pandemic he located a large quantity of surplus gas masks in Sweden. He brokered a deal where he sold (“flipped”) them to a Fire Service in Central America. Although he had never actually owned them, he was concerned that they were controlled or “Military List” goods and he should declare the transaction.

His concerns were well-placed. I helped him identify the gas masks as “Dual Use” items and to declare the sale to the correct government department, who accepted his retrospective declaration. Arvinder keeps in touch, especially given the nature of his work.

Regulatory compliance around controlled goods

I have spent most of my career in international trade, with the USA, EU and China featuring heavily. Latterly I imported and brokered military list, sporting and other controlled goods into the USA from the UK and EU, selling across the UK, Canada and New Zealand. I was vetted, certified and licensed in the UK and USA with various government departments and agencies. I am happy to guide clients on Compliance matters. I am also happy to work on international projects involving:
– Trade with Hong Kong & China
– Trade with the USA, Canada, Australia & New Zealand

Special projects

If you have a project that requires a bit of creativity, lateral thinking and/or time “around the block”, run it past me. If I can assist, I will.

Case study: My favourite one (so far)

David, a retired Army Officer wanted to get an urgent message to a young Bosnian doctor he had served with in Sarajevo during the horrific and chaotic Balkan conflict. They had lost contact and all the organisations they had served in together were sensitive military groups, governed by strict confidentiality and secrecy. David could only provide her name, last known location and unit. David asked me for help. It took an afternoon on the phone, even passing through the US State Department to get her phone number.

The message? “Merry Christmas.” David delivered it himself.

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0115 989 3050

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