Fine Art Customs Manager

Fine Art Customs Manager - London

Location: LondonVacancy Reference: 58556

Our client, a leading international fine art logistics and shipping company, is seeking a highly skilled and detail-driven Fine Art Customs Manager. This is a senior management role overseeing the entire customs process for fine art shipments by road, sea, and air.

This position is crucial to ensuring smooth global transportation of high-value art, antiques, and cultural property, while guaranteeing compliance with customs regulations and international trade law.

Previous experience in fine art shipping or cultural property logistics is essential.

The Role:

As Fine Art Customs Manager, you will be responsible for leading a dedicated customs team, ensuring all import and export procedures are executed to the highest standards. You will take full ownership of compliance, provide expert oversight for customs declarations across all transport modes, and safeguard the company's reputation with customs authorities, galleries, and high-profile clients worldwide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee customs operations across road freight, sea freight, and air freight.
• Ensure accurate preparation of import entries (permanent, temporary, and relief) and the timely discharge of T-forms (Transit Documents).
• Act as the final authority for customs declarations, ensuring correct valuation, HS classification, and regime application.
• Lead the company's customs compliance programme, monitoring regulatory changes and cultural property laws.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a small customs team, setting standards of accuracy and efficiency.
• Administer Temporary Admission (TA) procedures, monitoring deadlines and ensuring compliant re-export or regime changes.
• Maintain and control bonded warehouse records, ensuring full audit compliance.
• Represent the company during customs audits, preparing and presenting detailed reports.

Essential Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in customs management, including at least 2 years in fine art shipping, logistics, or cultural property.
• In-depth knowledge of import/export regimes, HS Codes, valuation, and the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS).
• Expertise in Temporary Admission (TA), Customs Warehousing, and cultural goods regulations.
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience managing a small, high-performing team.
• Excellent communication skills for liaising with HMRC, customs authorities, internal teams, and fine art clients.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior role within a world-class fine art shipping company. You will work with some of the most prestigious art collections, galleries, and cultural institutions, ensuring their priceless works move seamlessly across borders.

Apply Now

If you are an experienced customs professional with expertise in fine art logistics and the drive to lead a high-performing team, we would love to hear from you.

Contact us today.

About Red Recruit Global

For over 23 years, Red Recruit Global has proudly supported the fine art logistics sector, partnering with leading organisations and helping professionals shape rewarding careers. If you are considering your next move, our experienced consultants are here to provide confidential guidance and support.