BorderAudit stat card — the first 14 days of an HMRC customs enquiry often determine whether it stays an enquiry or escalates to a full post-clearance audit
An enquiry letter is the step before a PCA. The 14-day response window is short on purpose: HMRC reads how you triage, gather evidence, and frame your position as a proxy for how organised your customs records actually are. The reply sets the tone for everything that follows.

How to Respond to an HMRC Customs Enquiry: Step-by-Step

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How to Respond to an HMRC Customs Enquiry: Step-by-Step

A letter from HMRC asking questions about your customs declarations is not the same as a full audit — but it is the step before one. How you respond in the first 14 days often determines whether it escalates.

What Is an HMRC Customs Enquiry?

A customs enquiry is a written request from HMRC for information about specific declarations, trade lanes, or compliance processes. It typically precedes a post-clearance audit and focuses on:

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BorderAudit

BorderAudit helps businesses optimize their customs compliance and reduce duty costs through automated auditing and analytics.