Introduction.
The Modern Slavery Act came into force 29th October 2015 and is amined at protecting victims of slavery and human trafficking and there is a requirement for large organisations operating in the UK to produce an Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking statement, setting out how they are preventing slavery and human trafficking taking place within their business and in their supply chains.
As a small business we are not legally obliged to report on slavery and human trafficking, however, we still feel the need to publish a statement to
reassure our customers that we are committed to eliminating acts of modern-day slavery and human trafficking within our business and supply
chain. This statement is made in accordance with section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Our Product and Supply Chain.
Customs Connect Limited was founded in August 2009 by Neil Sheppard to provide high quality temporary/ autonomous duty suspensions (ADS), classification and duty reclaims, and provide expert customs advice to help manage and improve clients customs duty, tax liabilities, import/export footprint and global trade processes. With success, the company further added to its expertise and expanded into to providing Digital Solutions services in 2019.
Our wide range of services are all designed to maximise profit, by combining our expertise and knowledge with our dynamic approach to assisting our clients. We strive to deliver successful projects on a largely contingent fee basis.
We are an independent company operating within the UK & EU and our business comprises of consultants and associated support based at our Head Office, Manchester, United Kingdom.
As our product is advice, consultancy, and digital services, we do not have a connected network of supply chains and procurement within our business to deliver a ‘physical’ product to a client and are therefore low risk. Our supply chain consists entirely of providing support systems to our business, such as finance, payroll, IT systems & support, telecoms, HR, health & safety, professional certifications and essential subscriptions for customs legislation, training, or process.
Introduction of document 385. Supplier Sustainability Policy.
We are committed to conducting every aspect of our business ethically, with integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws. This commitment is a source of pride in maintaining a strong reliable reputation and it should be embraced by everyone affiliated with Customs Connect Group Ltd including our partners, suppliers, their workers, employees, and their subcontractors. The Supply Sustainability policy is a key performance indicator to our ongoing commitment to integrity, trust, honesty, fair dealing, and full compliance with all applicable laws and sets out the minimum standards expected from our Suppliers.
Policy on slavery and human trafficking.
We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our business. This policy reflects our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere within our business.
Due diligence and Managing Risk.
We consider ourselves to be a ‘low risk’ business with regard to slavery and human trafficking. However, we foster a culture that encourages the identification and reporting of any such risks within our business. We recruit and vet all our employees either directly or through our onboarding policies and security checks, we do not recruit or use agency workers. We encourage employees to report any violations or suspected integrity violations, creating a safe and confidential environment for employees to make such reports. Retaliation against any employee who in good faith reports a concern to the company about illegal or unethical conduct is not tolerated and be subject to disciplinary actions.
Assessing and managing risk
We have an AML policy and process in place and as part of our efforts to identify and mitigate risks within our business, we have introduced screening software, Descartes visual compliance system to identify, assess and monitor potential risk areas.
Effectiveness in combating slavery and human trafficking.
We have zero tolerance to slavery and human trafficking.
To ensure that all those in our supply chains comply, we vet our suppliers through our AML onboarding procedures and screening software, and we require our suppliers to confirm within the onboarding questionnaire that they have a slavery and human trafficking policy in place and that they require the same from their suppliers by distribution of policy document 385. Supplier Sustainability Policy. We do take into consideration if they are a small business and are not legally obliged to have a policy statement.
If you would like an authorised copy of this document, please get in touch on +44 (0)845 519 0878