Airfreight Import Apprentice
DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING (UK) LIMITED
Birmingham (B37 7HB)
Closes in 24 days (Monday 13 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 18 September 2025
Contents
Summary
As a Midland Import Apprentice, you'll play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of import customs entries and gateway functions. This hands-on position offers the opportunity to develop essential skills in liaising with airlines, handling agents, and customers, while contributing to compliance with HMRC regulations.
- Wage
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£14,722.50 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary reviewed after 12 months
- Training course
- International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
- Hours
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Monday to Friday – 9am – 5.30pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
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Monday 20 October 2025
- Duration
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1 year 9 months
- Positions available
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1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
· To be part of the Midland Airfreight Import Team
· Production of import customs entries, Breakbulk and BHX Import gateway functions
· Arranging overseas collections via Quick-book.
· Liaise with airlines/handling agents, UK branches & DGF Warehouses.
· Contacting customers for clearance instructions, Payments, Invoice queries.
· Achieve personal and operational targets and report any problems that may affect performance/Station Metrix,. prepare paperwork for customs, monitor inbound flights
· Ensure shipment procedures are followed according to operational procedures and highlight any concerns to line manager,
· Maintain accurate data on company systems
· Contribute to safety and hygiene standards
· IT Generalist knowledge – Windows, Word, Excel CDS, ICE, Atlas,
· Prime function to ensure the accurate completion of import Entries/documentation to the compliance regulations from HMRC and DGF UK.
· Dealing with the warehouse and external customer queries.
· Ensures that all interactions are compliant with DPDHL Code of Conduct and other compliance requirements e.g. anti-corruption
· Contribute to the First Choice continuous improvement program
Where you'll work
Unit 1, International Square,
Starley Way
Birmingham
B37 7HB
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED
Training course
International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
- Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
- Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
- Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
- Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
- Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
- Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
- Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
- Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
- Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
- Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
- Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
- Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.
- Air. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the air freight industry.
- Air. Select and use documentation appropriate to the air freight industry.
- Ocean. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
- Ocean. Select and use documentation appropriate to the ocean freight industry.
- Road. Use and adapt terminology appropriate to the road freight industry.
- Road. Select and use documentation appropriate to the road freight industry.
- Select freight forwarding services based on customer requirements, taking into account country specific factors, delivery times and modes.
- Use generic or bespoke ICT systems in order to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods.
- Book, plan and monitor international shipments, using manual or ICT systems, in accordance with the rules and regulations that apply to that area of the world and to the goods consigned.
- Prepare a customs declaration to a national standard, or give custom clearance instructions to a third party.
- Use data systems to submit the information required by customs authorities as part of the management of the international movement of goods.
- Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract.
- Identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues.
- Identify and resolve problems in line with responsibilities.
- Create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers.
- Adapt communication based on the situation and the audience.
- Identify problems outside of limits of responsibility and escalate within company policy.
- Communicate in writing, preparing communications on technical matters.
- Communicate with others verbally, including internal and external customers.
Training schedule
On the job training delivered by the employer.
Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3.
Allocation of an apprenticeship delivery coach who will carry out regular training.
Assessment and support visits to ensure you acquire new learning, knowledge skills and behaviours in order to progress and develop.
Identify, track and support 6 hours off the job training activities.
Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)
- Maths (grade Minimum Grade C or 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Team working
Other requirements
When answering the set questions please do not just copy and paste from AI but use your own words.
About this employer
DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is one of the five DHL divisions within DPDHL Group. DGF UK specialise in shipping freight by air and sea. We are the world and UK market leader for airfreight and number two for ocean freight. At DGF we have over 30,000 employees working across more than 200 countries. In the UK we have over 1,000 colleagues working across office, warehouse and transport roles. We collect, store and deliver the goods and handle customs formalities.
After this apprenticeship
The Apprenticeship will initially be a 24 month Fixed Term Contract (FTC), with the aim that Apprentices either move onto a further Apprenticeship or a permanent role within the business – subject to a suitable vacancy being available and in line with the selection process for the role.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SEETEC BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTRE LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000342753.
Apply now
Closes in 24 days (Monday 13 October 2025 at 11:59pm)
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