Verification and Accreditation

The Trade & Customs Standards Association (TCSA) provides a practical way for firms to demonstrate sound practice. Members may progress from Member to Verified (desk review) and, where appropriate, to Accredited (independent assessment).

TCSA remains independent and does not claim government endorsement.

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Status levels (at a glance)

Member

Has joined TCSA and agrees to the Code of Practice. May display the “Member of TCSA” mark.

 

Verified

Core Standard evidenced by desk review; declared modules (e.g., Declarations, Transit, IP/OP/RGR, E-commerce, Origin & Classification, Excise, Safety) checked for plausibility and controls. Receives a click-to-verify badge and a public record on the Verify page.

 

Accredited

Independent assessment of the Core plus the declared modules, with sampling of files, interviews and controls. Strongest signal. Includes periodic surveillance.

 

 

 

What the public Verify page shows

• Legal name and trading names

• Current status (Member / Verified / Accredited)

• Declared scope (modules)

• Date of last review/assessment and next due date

• Unique TCSA reference

• A short disclaimer (no government endorsement)

 

 

Members must link badges on their websites, proposals and email signatures to their Verify record.

 

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Path to Verified (desk review)

1) Request desk review

Write to the Secretariat or select “Request verification” in the Members’ Area.

 

2) Complete self-assessment

Use the Self-Assessment Checklist (PDF) to confirm the Core Standard and your declared scope.

 

3) Submit evidence pack (examples below)

Upload securely or provide links.

 

4) Review & clarification

A reviewer examines your submission; we may ask for clarifications or additional samples.

 

5) Decision & badge

On success, you receive Verified status, a badge link, and a short note of any observations.

 

Typical turnaround: acknowledgement within 1 business day; review completed in 10–15 working days from receipt of a complete pack.

 

 

Evidence pack — Core (examples)

• Companies House extract (or equivalent); VAT status

• Professional Indemnity insurance (schedule; limit & expiry)

• Responsible Customs Lead (name/role) and basic oversight matrix

• KYC/KYB & sanctions process (with redacted samples)

• Data protection baseline (roles, retention, incident handling)

• Complaints policy (with ADR route) and a sample log template

 

 

 

Evidence for declared modules (examples)

• Declarations: SOP excerpt; QC checks; correction procedure; sample redacted file list

• Transit (T1/T2): issuance/arrival procedures; guarantee control note; incident log

• IP/OP/TA/RGR: approval letter; worked example; discharge timetable

• E-commerce (IOSS/DDP): checkout wording; carrier instructions; returns & RGR flow

• Origin & Classification: method; BTI/BOR if any; supplier declaration campaign note

• Excise: authorisations; EMCS sample; reconciliation

• Safety/Security: responsibility matrix; ENS/ICS2 sample filings; amendment steps

 

 

Members may use their included consultancy (up to 10 hours/year) to prepare evidence, sense-check SOPs, or respond to reviewer notes.

 

Validity: Verified status is recorded with a review date and an annual attestation (confirm nothing material has changed). Material changes must be notified to the Secretariat (see Code of Practice).

 

 

 

Path to Accredited (independent assessment)

1) Scope & proposal

Confirm your Core + modules. We issue a short proposal and schedule.

 

2) Assessment (remote, hybrid or on-site)

Includes file sampling, interviews with the RCL and relevant staff, controls walkthroughs, and limited observation of processes.

 

3) Findings & actions

You receive a concise report: “meets”, “meets with notes”, or “actions required”. Any actions are time-bound.

 

4) Decision & badge

On success, Accredited status is granted; badge and Verify record updated.

 

Typical rhythm: full assessment every 24 months, with light surveillance in between (e.g., brief attestations or targeted checks). Intervals may vary by scope and risk.

 

Fees: assessments are priced at cost and quoted in advance. Any work beyond included consultancy is at member rates.

 

 

 

Badge use (required practices)

• Display only the badge that reflects your current status (Member / Verified / Accredited).

• Badges must link to your public Verify record.

• Do not alter badge wording, colours or proportions.

• Do not use government crests or imply official endorsement.

• Remove or correct badges within five (5) working days if instructed by TCSA (e.g., suspension, expiry).

 

 

Report badge misuse: use the short form on the Verify page or email the Secretariat with details and a screenshot.

 

 

 

Non-conformance, suspension & withdrawal

• Minor findings: corrective actions and timeframes agreed; status can remain in place.

• Material issues or persistent non-conformance: status may be withheld, suspended or withdrawn until rectified.

• Serious conduct or badge misuse: immediate suspension may apply.

 

 

Appeals: decisions can be reviewed on written request. An appeal route is available per the Governance policy.

 

 

 

For buyers & procurement

You may state in a tender:

 

“Supplier to be TCSA Verified or Accredited (or equivalent), or to provide evidence that it meets the TCSA Core Standard with a named Responsible Customs Lead.”

 

We provide a one-page Standards Summary (PDF) for inclusion in packs, and a public Verify record for quick checks.

 

 

 

Confidentiality & data

Evidence submitted for verification or accreditation is treated as confidential and used only for admission, monitoring and standards purposes, subject to legal obligations. We publish only limited facts on the Verify page (status, scope and dates).