Customs Bureau Apprentice Clerk

DHL GLOBAL FORWARDING (UK) LIMITED

Lichfield (WS13 8NE)

Closes in 16 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 3 November 2026

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Summary

Kickstart your career with our Customs Clerk Apprenticeship, where you will gain hands on experience in the fast-paced world of customs and freight. You will learn how to manage and process customs clearances and support daily operations. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone eager to build a career with a large global company.

Wage

£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary reviewed after 12 months.

Training course
Business administrator (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 December 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

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

  • Prepare, submit, and monitor import and export customs declarations in accordance with HMRC regulations and customer requirements
  • Provide timely and professional support to customers, internal stakeholders, and external partners, ensuring excellent customer service
  • Investigate and resolve customs-related issues, discrepancies, and exceptions, escalating where necessary
  • Manage and coordinate time-critical customs activities, ensuring service levels and operational deadlines are met
  • Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation to support compliance, audits, and KPIs
  • Liaise with the Global Service Centre (GSC) and other stakeholders to obtain and share relevant information
  • Ensure compliance with customs legislation, customer requirements, and DHL policies
  • Support new customer onboarding and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives
  • Undertake additional duties and training as required to support the wider team and maintain regulatory knowledge
  • Ensure 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

Fradley Distribution Park
Wood End Lane
Lichfield
WS13 8NE

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

Business administrator (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Skilled in the use of multiple IT packages and systems relevant to the organisation in order to: write letters or emails, create proposals, perform financial processes, record and analyse data. Examples include MS Office or equivalent packages. Able to choose the most appropriate IT solution to suit the business problem. Able to update and review databases, record information and produce data analysis where required.
  • Produces accurate records and documents including: emails, letters, files, payments, reports and proposals. Makes recommendations for improvements and present solutions to management. Drafts correspondence, writes reports and able to review others' work. Maintains records and files, handles confidential information in compliance with the organisation's procedures. Coaches others in the processes required to complete these tasks.
  • Exercises proactivity and good judgement. Makes effective decisions based on sound reasoning and is able to deal with challenges in a mature way. Seeks advice of more experienced team members when appropriate.
  • Builds and maintains positive relationships within their own team and across the organisation. Demonstrates ability to influence and challenge appropriately. Becomes a role model to peers and team members, developing coaching skills as they gain area knowledge.
  • Demonstrates good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms. Uses the most appropriate channels to communicate effectively. Demonstrates agility and confidence in communications, carrying authority appropriately. Understands and applies social media solutions appropriately. Answers questions from inside and outside of the organisation, representing the organisation or department.
  • Completes tasks to a high standard. Demonstrates the necessary level of expertise required to complete tasks and applies themself to continuously improve their work. Is able to review processes autonomously and make suggestions for improvements. Shares administrative best-practice across the organisation e.g. coaches others to perform tasks correctly. Applies problem-solving skills to resolve challenging or complex complaints and is a key point of contact for addressing issues.
  • Takes responsibility for initiating and completing tasks, manages priorities and time in order to successfully meet deadlines. Positively manages the expectations of colleagues at all levels and sets a positive example for others in the workplace. Makes suggestions for improvements to working practice, showing understanding of implications beyond the immediate environment (e.g. impact on clients, suppliers, other parts of the organisation). Manages resources e.g. equipment or facilities. Organises meetings and events, takes minutes during meetings and creates action logs as appropriate. Takes responsibility for logistics e.g. travel and accommodation.
  • Uses relevant project management principles and tools to scope, plan, monitor and report. Plans required resources to successfully deliver projects. Undertakes and leads projects as and when required.

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

More training information

Internal systems training will be provided by the employer

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

  • Candidates will need to evidence previous 5-year education / employment with no gaps

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.

https://www.dhl.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • 25 days of annual leave + bank holiday
  • Training and Development opportunities with a strong focus on internal promotion
  • Competitive package of voluntary benefits including entertainment, gym membership, cycle to work scheme, and many more discounts
  • Pension scheme which includes life assurance

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

  • 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

Paul Cotton

paul.cotton@seetec.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000062333.

Apply now

Closes in 16 days (Friday 20 November 2026 at 11:59pm)