As the festive season approaches and the imports surge ahead of Christmas, Kukla Customs Division (KCD) is once again at the heart of the action. The work done by the Folkestone-based team, led by KCD Director Martin Jacobs, is absolutely vital to the seamless flow of trade, ensuring that every shipment clears UK borders swiftly, accurately, and compliantly.
While customers see only the final result, each clearance involves a detailed, multi-step process. Every bottle, case, or container that reaches UK shelves during the busy winter months passes through a chain of documentation, classification, and compliance checks carried out by our expert team.
November is the Pressure Point of the Year
It’s no surprise that November marks KCD’s busiest time as importers prepare for peak seasonal demand. The number of customs declarations rises by around 25% compared with other months. Volumes rise, timelines tighten, and precision matters most.
In 2025, Kukla UK’s customs activity has already surpassed last year’s levels. The year-end total is projected to reach between 22,000 and 25,000 declarations, reflecting volume growth and Kukla’s expanding customer base. This rate mirrors the wider business trend: Kukla UK is up 25% year-on-year, confirming the strength and consistency of our operational performance.
Beyond Beverages, Clearing All Types of Goods
While Kukla built its reputation in beverage logistics, our Customs Division’s work goes much further. The team handles clearances of all kinds, from imports, exports and re-exports, not just for wines and spirits but also for food products and general cargo.
Every declaration is handled with meticulous attention to ensure that all code and values, as well as the mandatory supporting documentation such as invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin and transport documents, fully comply with UK customs requirements.
The Numbers Behind the Expertise
The scale of KCD’s work is best seen in the figures. Since 2022, the team has processed more than £40 million in Customs Duty, over £330 million in Excise Duty, and more than £400 million in Import VAT. These numbers together tell a bigger story, one of precision, accountability, and the vital financial link KCD maintains between Kukla’s daily operations and the UK’s customs and tax authorities.
Commitment to Compliance and Innovation
This year, KCD has upgraded its internal systems to deliver even greater accuracy, speed, and efficiency. With continuous investment in training and technology, Kukla remains fully aligned with evolving customs legislation and digital processes, including the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and NCTS5 platforms.
The UK Remains the World’s Second-largest Wine Importer by Value
Recent UK trade figures offer a clear view of how goods are moving across the country’s borders, and how central food, drink, and beverages remain to the national import landscape.
- In 2024, the UK imported more wine by volume (up 2.4%), but spent less overall, with the value of imports falling to £3.9 billion (by 3.7%) for approx. 1.26 billion litres.*
- The UK keeps its rank as the world’s second-largest wine importer by value and volume, following the United States and Germany, respectively.*
- France continues to lead on spirits imported into the UK, sending goods worth more than £175 million in 2024. Italy follows closely, with imports valued at over £142 million.***
- The UK’s main export destinations were Ireland (£4.3bn), France (£2.9bn), the United States (£2.7bn) and the Netherlands (£1.8bn).**
- On the import side, the biggest contributors were the Netherlands (£7.7bn), France (£6.1bn), Ireland (£5.4bn) and Belgium (£5.0bn).**
- Whisky remains the UK’s top food and drink export, totalling £5.5 billion, even though this represents a 9% drop compared to the previous year.**
Did You Know?
- KCD handles tens of thousands of declarations each year, covering imports, exports, and special procedures.
- The data for each clearance, values, weights, commodity codes, ABV% and origin must be 100% accurate every time.
- Seasonal peaks coincide not only with Christmas trade but also with changes in excise rates or regulations, adding further complexity to the work.
- The team’s work doesn’t end once a container/Trailer clears the port. They also support customers with advice on tariff codes, duty deferment accounts, and trade preferences, ensuring every client can navigate complex post-Brexit procedures with confidence.
- Kukla’s customs capability is reinforced by its Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) accreditation, a mark of trust and reliability recognised by HMRC.
- This status not only speeds up border procedures but also reinforces Kukla’s commitment to compliance, security, and professional standards.
For importers and suppliers seeking to better understand documentation requirements, revisit our detailed feature: Your Go-To Guide to Documents and Customs for EU and Non-EU Imports into the UK (https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/your-go-to-guide-to-documents-and-customs-for-eu-and-non-eu-imports-into-the-uk)
Sources:
** UK Wine Imports Rise in Volume but Fall in Value in 2024
*** UK spirits imports: Top 5 countries of origin 2024| Statista
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