CUSTOMS SUPPORT GROUP ERASES DOUBLE DUTY DRAIN FOR LEADING OUTDOOR GOODS SPECIALIST AMG GROUP
One of the UK’s leading outdoor goods specialists has hailed a transformative customs partnership. This partnership has helped it negotiate the post-Brexit landscape and significantly cut the duty it was paying on re-exported goods.
AMG Group, based in Port Glasgow, is a manufacturer, importer and distributor. It specialises in the sourcing and supply of outdoor living and sports goods including camping equipment, rucksacks, sleeping bags and snowsport equipment.
The business, which celebrates the 60th anniversary of its Vango brand this year, primarily imports from Asia into the UK. After import, it distributes across the UK and Europe.
However, following the UK’s departure from the European Union, it found itself paying ‘double duty’ on goods. This costly customs charge was levied every time shipments crossed borders. As a result, items which previously attracted duties of 12 per cent cost the business a further 12 per cent on re-export. This led to a significant impact on margin and cashflow.
To overcome this issue, AMG partnered with Customs Support Group (CSG), Europe’s leading independent provider of customs clearance and trade solutions. Together they implemented a customs warehouse solution.
A customs warehouse allows a business to store goods without immediately paying import duties. There is no charge levied if the goods are then re-exported.
CSG has worked with AMG for three years to integrate compliance into every stage of the goods journey. This includes administering entries into declarant records, supplementary declarations, managing UCR allocation, verifying shipment documentation and overseeing duty-suspended stock movements through to final dispatch.
AMG operates a complex international supply chain requiring efficient customs processes and robust warehouse controls. The partnership with CSG has therefore saved a significant amount in additional duty costs.
Jim McLeish, operations director at AMG Group, said “CSG has provided strong expertise, reliability and responsiveness throughout the partnership”.
“Customs Support Group were a massive knowledge bank for us at the start. Their expertise made what is a complex process far more manageable”.
He added: “Before implementing the customs warehouse, we were effectively paying duty twice on some goods, in some cases up to 12 percent each time. Removing that has made a significant difference to the business.
“Holding goods under duty suspension means we’re no longer paying UK duty on products that are re-exported to Europe. This has been a major benefit both in cost and cash flow.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them. They know exactly what they’re doing, and they’ve been a strong partner for us. When we hit issues during the Customs Declaration Service transition, they went above and beyond – even working weekends to keep our exports moving.”
John Wegman, CEO of Customs Support Group, said: “From the point goods arrive at the UK frontier through to storage, picking and removal to home use or export, customs controls are embedded within AMG’s operational processes.
“Acting as a key compliance partner, we ensure all import data is accurately processed. We also support commodity code validation and the application of preference schemes, and maintain full audit trails to provide complete traceability.
“Through this partnership, AMG benefits from a streamlined customs framework that reduces administrative burden while maintaining strict compliance. This allows AMG to operate with confidence in a highly regulated environment. Meanwhile, it can focus on its core business of delivering products efficiently to its customers.”
For more information on Customs Support Group, visit www.customssupport.com.
For more information on AMG Group, visit https://www.amg-group.co.
