Customs Clearance with a Long-Term View

Import, export,
global trade and
Martin at the
center of it all.

Customs clearance may sound like forms, regulations, and stacks of gray files. In reality, however, it is one of the most important hubs in the entire delivery process. When a shipment arrives at the customer on time and the documents are correct, an entire team has taken a very close look beforehand. At REINHOLD KELLER in Kleinheubach, this is Martin’s world. And anyone who knows him knows that behind his calm demeanor is someone who hardly misses a thing.

From Purchasing to Customs

Martin did not start out working with customs declarations and HS codes. He completed a traditional apprenticeship in industrial business administration, followed by more than 30 years in the global import of floral and decorative items. Purchasing was his professional home until customs “simply” became part of the job. “Learning by doing”, he says and he means that quite literally. Authorizations, customs processes, international regulations. Martin acquired this knowledge step by step and eventually managed the customs department at his previous company.

When the right position was advertised at REINHOLD KELLER, he did not hesitate for long. He has now been part of #TEAMRK for eight years, and what still keeps him here today is the environment. Independent work, a strong internal structure, and tasks that constantly need to be approached from a fresh perspective. “That’s simply motivating,” he says.

Interview with Martin, Customs, Conversation, REINHOLD KELLER Group

“There’s always something going on here.”

Martin’s first major assignment at RK was an export to Pakistan involving a letter of credit. “I was thrown right in at the deep end”, he says with a laugh. Today, a project like that is part of the routine, but the complexity behind it remains.

What most people do not see is that before a shipment leaves the warehouse, many threads come together in the customs team. Project preparation, customs declarations, and document creation are just as much a part of his daily work as regular contact with customers, freight forwarders, and customs service providers. “There’s always something going on here”, he says with a smile. From dispatch and purchasing to accounting, the customs team, consisting of Martin, Antje, and Anna-Lisa, is in daily contact with almost every department. At the end of the process, they make sure everything is correct before the goods leave the facility.

“Problem solving”, Martin says immediately when asked what best describes his job. And you can tell that this is exactly what he enjoys.

Interview Martin, Zoll, Logistik, REINHOLD KELLER Group

“THE EARLIER WE ARE INVOLVED, THE BETTER.”

Every country has its own rules in international trade and Martin knows them. Not only the official ones, but also the ones that customers bring with them, including their own requirements, expectations and preferences. This complexity is part of his everyday work, and he prefers to navigate it from the very beginning. “The earlier we are involved, the better,” says Martin.

He says what he thinks, and his colleagues appreciate that about him. “Sometimes I may be a bit too good-natured”, he reflects with a smile. “But when it matters, I can also be persistent and direct.” Both are needed in international logistics.

“IN THE END, CUSTOMS DUTIES ARE PAID BY THE END CONSUMER.”

Customs is not an end in itself. Anyone who truly understands how customs duties work also understands why correct customs clearance is so important. “In the end, customs duties are paid by the end consumer,” says Martin. For him, this is not an abstract idea, but part of everyday practice. That is why this work requires not only specialist knowledge, but also a real feel for the products, their origin, and their correct classification in the customs tariff schedule. This develops over the years. In the end, it is this instinct that makes the difference for customers. Pickup dates are met, import customs clearance runs smoothly, and unpleasant surprises are avoided.

Nothing here is left to chance

What does customs clearance actually look like in day-to-day business? Martin shares insights into his work at REINHOLD KELLER, explains what matters in international trade, and why customs is about far more than forms and regulations.

“After work, I need balance.”

Whether he is cycling, hiking, Nordic walking or taking a city trip, Martin looks for balance and finds it. At 60, he knows what is good for him. And if he ends the evening on the sofa with a crime novel, that suits him just as well.

He has also been a proud grandfather for two years and this new role clearly makes him happy. “That’s a whole different experience”, he says. What connects all of this is a person who knows what matters to him. He brings this clarity into his working day as well, and you can sense it when he keeps a cool head in the middle of the daily rush.

What a Good Customs Department Really Delivers

Efficient customs clearance is not just a nice extra. It is a real competitive advantage. An incorrectly classified HS code, a missing certificate of origin or a delayed customs declaration can hold up shipments and cause additional costs.

At REINHOLD KELLER, this specialist knowledge is available in-house, supported by a well-coordinated team that knows what matters. Martin and his team coordinate the many interfaces in the background, maintain an overview, and make sure the goods arrive where they belong. From the outside, most people hardly notice any of it. And that is exactly how it should be.