Customs & Excise Disputes

Hammad has extensive experience acting in customs and excise disputes, advising and representing businesses facing complex technical issues, HMRC enquiries, assessments, and appeals.

He helps clients understand their position, challenge decisions where appropriate, and reach practical, commercially focused outcomes.

His work regularly involves disputes arising from the application of customs rules to cross-border supply chains, including questions of preference, tariffs, classification, origin, customs valuation, and the correct treatment of goods moved into or out of the UK.

Key Areas of Dispute

• Preference, Trade Barriers, Classification, Origin & Customs Valuation: Advising on and challenging HMRC decisions concerning tariff classification, rules of origin, customs valuation, and access to preferential rates of duty. Hammad assists clients in resolving disputes where incorrect treatment has led to additional duties, penalties, or disruption to trade.
• Warehouse Keeper, AEO & AWRS Status: Assisting with applications for, or appeals against, the refusal or withdrawal of warehouse keeper status, Authorised Economic Operator status, and Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme approval. Hammad helps prepare supporting evidence, respond to HMRC queries, and challenge adverse decisions before the Tribunal where necessary.
• Customs Reliefs & Strategic Planning: Advising importers and traders on customs reliefs and planning structures designed to make best use of available regimes, such as duty reliefs, suspensions, and special procedures. Hammad assists where disputes arise over eligibility for reliefs and works with clients to align their processes with HMRC expectations.

Whether the issue concerns a technical interpretation of customs law, a contested HMRC decision, or a broader strategic dispute, Hammad provides clear, robust, and practical advice tailored to each client’s trading model.

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