Your returns are costing you duty. They shouldn't.
Every customer return re-entering the UK pays import duty again — on goods you already own. Returned Goods Relief exists to prevent this, but identifying qualifying returns among millions of import lines is impossible manually. BorderAudit's ML algorithm does it automatically.
UK's only eCommerce returns focused import audit platform
What is Returned Goods Relief?
When a customer returns a product that was originally exported from the UK, it crosses the border again as an import — and HMRC charges duty on it. Returned Goods Relief (RGR) waives this duty entirely, but only if you can prove the goods were originally in free circulation, returned unaltered, and re-imported within 3 years.
Customer buys online
UK brand exports goods to customer (EU, international)
Customer returns item
Return re-enters UK as a standard import. Duty charged again.
RGR waives the duty
But only if you can link the return to the original export. That's the hard part.
RGR Candidate Detection
ML-scored return candidates surfaced for review
How BorderAudit finds your hidden returns
Our ML algorithm analyses every import line for return indicators — no manual matching required.
Pattern recognition across import lines
The algorithm analyses supplier patterns, quantities, unit values, and dispatch countries to identify items that behave like returns — even when they're not labelled as such.
Confidence scoring
Each candidate is scored across multiple dimensions — return confidence, export match strength, and RGR eligibility — then surfaced for agent review.
Export–import linking
Tracks prior UK export evidence across the 3-year RGR qualification window. Matches re-imported goods to their original outbound shipment automatically.
Built for eCommerce brands and the returns ecosystem
Whether you're recovering duty on your own returns or helping clients recover theirs.
Recover duty on customer returns
Every return re-entering the UK as an import pays duty you don't owe. With fashion return rates of 20-30%, the exposure is material — one retailer recovered £144,000 in two years.
No manual matching required
Forget spreadsheets linking export shipments to re-imports. Our ML analyses your HMRC declaration data directly — scoring return probability and building evidence chains automatically.
Works alongside your returns stack
Already using ZigZag, Loop, REVER, or another returns platform? BorderAudit operates on the customs data side — complementary to your existing logistics and returns management.
£144,000
Recovered in Returned Goods Relief
A mid-size fashion retailer with significant e-commerce returns was re-importing customer returns without claiming relief — paying duty again on goods they already owned. BorderAudit's ML algorithm identified return patterns across two years of import data and prepared HMRC-ready reclaim files. Accepted first time.
3 years
Reclaim period
91%
First-time acceptance
Works alongside your existing returns stack
BorderAudit operates on HMRC customs data — complementary to returns management, warehouse, and eCommerce platforms.
Returns platforms
ZigZag Global, Loop, REVER, Narvar, Happy Returns
eCommerce agencies
Heur, Pattern, Wunderman Thompson Commerce
3PL & warehouse
DHL, GXO, Clipper Logistics, Bleckmann
eCommerce platforms
Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, BigCommerce
Ecosystem examples — not confirmed integrations. Replace with actual partner logos when partnerships are established.
Frequently asked questions
Stop paying duty on goods you already own
eCommerce brand? Start free audit · Returns platform or agency? Explore partnership