January 16, 2026
Specialist pharmaceutical freight forwarder and customs broker, AIT Worldwide Logistics, first approached Fiscal IOR in search of a solution to their indirect representation challenge.
Since the UK’s exit from the EU, shipping between the two regions has become more complex, with numerous new policies and requirements. The greatest obstacle for AIT was the need for a UK indirect representative for their non-UK clients importing into the UK.
With an extensive portfolio of pharmaceutical clients shipping millions of pounds worth of goods, this created a significant challenge. To address it, AIT initially offered their own UK entity to provide the necessary indirect representation for their client's goods clearance.
However, over time, it became clear that this posed a major risk. By acting as the indirect representative, AIT assumed joint and several liability for all customs duties and taxes owed by their clients. This liability lasted for several years after a shipment’s clearance and meant that if any issues arose for past or present clearances, HMRC would require AIT, as the UK entity, to pay all outstanding customs liabilities on behalf of the client.
Recognising the need to mitigate this risk, AIT decided that outsourcing the representation service was essential and after researching their options, AIT found a solution with Fiscal IOR.
Supported by an extensive global network of IOR partners, Fiscal IOR specialises in worldwide importer of record services and provides indirect representation services in both the UK and EU, helping non-resident businesses to import goods and trade globally.
This meant that Fiscal IOR could use their extensive experience to work closely with AIT to educate their clients on the risks of indirect representation and explain why transferring this responsibility to Fiscal IOR was a necessity. This ensured a smooth transition, allowing Fiscal IOR to take over as the representative and to eliminate AIT’s customs duty and tax exposure.
Thanks to AIT’s strong reputation for outstanding service and Fiscal IOR’s commitment to providing additional customs support, both companies continue working together to fully support AIT’s clients. This partnership allows AIT to focus on what they do best, delivering top-level freight services to their global pharmaceutical customers.
If you’re looking to reduce customs risk for your business, please reach out to Fiscal IOR to learn how we can help. For further information on AIT’s global pharma freight forwarding services, visit their website.