SOC 3542 Business and public service associate professionals

Importers and exporters Salary

Median salary £34,757 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £35,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For importers and exporters, £34,757 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -11% versus the national average.

About this role

Importers and exporters (2020 SOC) facilitate international trade by managing customs compliance, documentation, tariff classification and logistics for goods moving across borders. Post-Brexit arrangements have increased the complexity and importance of this role.

Key responsibilities

Managing customs declarations and border compliance
Classifying goods under the UK Global Tariff
Coordinating international shipping and freight logistics
Ensuring compliance with trade sanctions and export controls
Managing duty reliefs, preferences and special procedures

Qualifications and entry routes

Customs practitioner qualifications, BIFA diplomas or degrees in international trade are valued. Practical experience with customs declaration systems (CDS) is essential.

Career outlook

High demand following the introduction of full UK-EU customs controls. Experienced practitioners are in short supply.

Key skills

UK customs regulations Tariff classification Trade documentation Logistics coordination Regulatory compliance

Common industries

Customs brokerage
Freight forwarding
Manufacturing exporters
Retail importers
E-commerce logistics

Data coverage

SOC code 3542

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Median Salary

£34,757

Mean Salary

£38,454

Jobs (000s)

N/A

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

Median: £34,757

P10: --P25: --Median: £35kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Mid Level

£34,757

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +37.3%Real growth: +0.5%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£34,757

Full-time Only

£34,757

Full-time premium: +£0

Importers and exporters salary: common questions

How much do importers and exporters earn in the UK?

Importers and exporters earn a median of £34,757 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £34,757 a good salary in the UK?

For importers and exporters, £34,757 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -11% versus the national average.

Have importers and exporters salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median importers and exporters pay has risen from £29,380 to £34,757 — +18% in cash terms, or -14% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).