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What is PAS 40201 about?
PAS 41201 is a specification for customs intermediary organizations, fulfilling customs declarations on behalf of others. The PAS was developed in response to the public sentiment expressed in an HMRC public consultation. Recognizing the critical role that customs intermediaries play in supporting traders and facilitating trade, the government included a chapter on the customs intermediary sector in the February 2022 ‘Call for Evidence: An Independent Customs Regime (CfE)’, which sought views on the sector, including on the quality of service that traders receive.
The CfE emphasized the value and importance of customs intermediaries but highlighted mixed experiences of service quality across the sector, with some responses detailing concerns over quality.
In exploring ways to improve quality without imposing disproportionate regulatory burdens, the government published the consultation ‘Introducing a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries’ in June 2023.
Respondents were supportive of the government’s intention to raise quality and standards in the customs intermediary sector. The majority were also supportive of the proposal to introduce a voluntary PAS for customs intermediaries, citing the potential for the PAS to set clear expectations, promote good practice and improve quality in the sector. As a result, the government worked with BSI to develop PAS 41201:2026 – a specification designed to raise standards and create a benchmark for high‑quality service across the customs intermediary sector.
Who is this PAS for?
PAS 41201:2026 is designed for organizations that act as cus...