GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 16, 2026

Customs contact person

A shipment arrives and customs raise a query on the declared commodity code – in that moment, having a named customs contact person on record makes all the difference.

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Last updated: 16 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.zoll.de

Category

Logistics Concept

Reading time

1 min

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127

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Definition & Explanation

A shipment arrives and customs raise a query on the declared commodity code – in that moment, having a named customs contact person on record makes all the difference. The customs contact person is the designated individual within a company or forwarding firm who manages all official communication with the authorities, coordinates declarations, and bears responsibility for compliant import, export, and transit procedures. The role may be filled by an in-house customs specialist or an authorised customs representative acting under direct or indirect representation as defined in customs law. While the customs declarant technically submits the declaration, the customs contact person typically holds broader organisational responsibility, linking warehousing, dispatch, and finance. Under Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) authorisation, a clearly identified customs contact is a formal compliance requirement.