If you’re importing goods, you’re likely watching every cost closely. But one area many businesses overlook? Customs duty overpayments—often hiding in plain sight.
At ALS Customs Services, we’ve analysed thousands of customs declarations and found that around 40% contain errors, ranging from incorrect tariff codes to missed preferential duty claims. These mistakes may seem minor, but they can quickly add up to significant overpayments in both duty and VAT.
And here’s the catch: even if a third party submits your declarations, you—as the importer—are ultimately responsible for their accuracy.
But there’s good news: you may be entitled to reclaim that money.
Under existing legislation, businesses can file retrospective claims for overpaid duties—if they know where to look. That’s where ALS Customs Reclaims comes in.
Using our bespoke Customs Analytic Tool, our specialists perform a comprehensive screening of your MSS or CDS data to identify reclaim opportunities and ensure you’re not leaving money behind.
Common areas where we recover overpayments include:
- Incorrect classifications – Misclassified goods can attract higher duty rates.
- Missed Free Trade Agreements – Overlooking eligibility under FTAs like EU-Vietnam or UK-Canada.
- Post-import price adjustments – Including discounts, rebates, or rejected shipments.
- Unclaimed customs reliefs – Such as Inward Processing or Returned Goods Relief.
In fact, HMRC reports show that UK businesses missed out on up to £1.5 billion in preferential duty claims in 2023 alone.
Whether you’re dealing with a few shipments or high-volume global trade, recovering these costs can have a tangible impact on your bottom line. And with our expert guidance, the process doesn’t have to be complicated.
Ready to uncover what you might be owed? Reach out to the ALS Customs Services team and start your reclaim journey today.
