CUSTOMS COMPLETE FRANCE: MEET THE TEAM
1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Customs Complete?
I’m Eva, I’ve been working at Customs Complete as a customs specialist for a year. I handle customs clearance requests in France, but also in the UK and Ireland when needed.
I am also the point of contact with French Customs Authorities, taking care of applications and requests for all the authorisations needed to develop our activities in France.
2. What’s your background in customs clearance, supply chain, or compliance?
I have several years of experience in customs. Before working at Customs Complete, I’ve worked as a customs agent in France in different fields such the aerospace industry, and the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry.
3. What does a typical working day look like for you?
Handling requests from customers, advising customers on customs procedures. Helping my colleagues with any customs or compliance related question.
I am also in contact with French customs authorities regarding our authorizations. Reading customs rules and notices is also a daily task, to keep up with regulatory changes or to deal with tricky jobs.
4. What do you enjoy most about working in this industry?
What I love about customs is that you never stop learning. Depending on the type of industry you deal with, you will encounter very different situations, and you will always learn from it.
5. What are the biggest challenges businesses face with customs clearance in France?
Imposition of sanctions (against Russia for example) creates challenges for companies working with international suppliers in terms of high costs and compliance risks.
6. How do you help clients manage logistics and supply chain complexities?
I think you can only manage something well if you understand it first. That’s why I make sure they understand the issue in the first place, before offering solutions.
7. What’s one customs or compliance issue that companies often overlook?
Incoterms are not used correctly by many companies; however they are essential for calculating customs value and therefore customs duties and VAT. An incorrect incoterm will lead to an incorrect customs value, which is a main compliance issue.
8. What makes the French customs process unique compared to other countries?
France is one of the first borders for importing into the EU, especially from the UK. Since Brexit, we have a dedicated process called Smart Border, which improves the efficiency of border crossing processes for both imports and exports.
9. What advice would you give to businesses importing or exporting through France?
Before buying anything outside of the EU, check the customs tariff and rules for this product, as well as the additional charges that can be invoiced at arrival (for sea freight mainly)! Customers are sometimes surprised by the final price of their import after all the fees are added up.
10. Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love cooking (and eating)! I enjoy world cuisine, especially spicy food.
I am a mom to a dog and three cats, and I also foster kittens, which can be quite time consuming… but the amount of cuteness is totally worth it
