RELAY PORT AGENCY LIMITED

What RELAY PORT AGENCY LIMITED does

Relay Port Agency Limited is a UK-based, family-run customs clearance specialist founded in 1981 and headquartered in Hessle, East Yorkshire. The company provides import and export customs clearance services across 30+ UK ports, managing documentation, certificates, HMRC liaison, VAT applications, and compliance with UK and international trade regulations. Its client base spans major international freight forwarders (DHL, DSV, Agility Logistics), multinational corporations (Stihl, Grace, Siemens), and small haulage companies new to importing/exporting.

The firm's core technology is its proprietary Semaphore software platform, which receives clearance instructions via XML, prepared spreadsheets, or through a customer portal — enabling direct system-to-system integration with client systems and minimizing manual intervention. The company maintains a direct connection to the UK Government's CHIEF (Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight) computer system and is developing its own CDS (Customs Declaration Service) software, currently in testing via HMRC's Trader Dress Rehearsal ahead of the mandatory CDS migration. A bespoke customer portal provides real-time tracking of cargo, files, and activity, while a public knowledge base offers guidance on EORI numbers, customs processes, and VAT procedures.

Relay Port Agency operates a sales-led, direct-service go-to-market model, charging professional services fees for customs clearance on a quote-based pricing structure tailored to individual business requirements. Service delivery is supported by the Semaphore platform and customer portal, with an additional revenue stream from VAT services including Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) support. The firm holds Authorised Economic Operator (AEO-C) and AFSS accreditations, BIFA membership, and Cyber Essentials certification. It is privately held, bootstrapped, and led by Managing Director Darren Southwell, with no disclosed external funding or institutional ownership.

Name

RELAY PORT AGENCY LIMITED

Legal name

Relay Port Agency Limited

Website

https://relayportagency.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Relay Port Agency Limited is a UK-based, family-run customs clearance specialist founded in 1981, serving freight forwarders, multinationals, and small hauliers across 30+ UK ports via its proprietary Semaphore software and direct CHIEF system integration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Customs Clearance Services

SIC

Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLACAHAD

Export/Import Documentation Preparation (Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Shipper’s Letter of Instruction)

Transportation & Logistics/Freight Forwarding & Customs Brokerage/Freight Documentation & Cargo Insurance Services (B/L, AWB, Certificates)

SECONDARYTLAHAJAA

Port Call Clearance & Documentation (Arrival/Departure, Customs/Immigration/Health)

Transportation & Logistics/Ports, Terminals & Maritime Services/Ship Agency, Husbandry & Port Call Services

Keywords

• Customs clearance services
• Import export documentation
• VAT compliance
• Freight forwarding
• Customs declaration software

Headquarters

HQ city

Hessle

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Customs Clearance Services: Fees charged for customs clearance services for import and export goods, including paperwork management, certificate obtaining, HMRC liaison, and VAT application arrangements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Relay Port Agency is a UK-based customs clearance specialist that processes import and export documentation on behalf of businesses across 30+ UK ports. The company manages paperwork, obtains export certificates, liaises with HMRC, and arranges VAT applications, including Postponed VAT Accounting. Service delivery is supported by proprietary Semaphore software that accepts clearance instructions directly from client systems, minimizing manual intervention.

Product overview

Relay Port Agency offers a unified customs clearance service built around its proprietary Semaphore software platform, which integrates with the UK Government's CHIEF computer system. The core offering comprises customs clearance for imports and exports across 30+ UK ports, supported by the Customer Portal for real-time tracking and documentation management, and a Knowledge Base for regulatory guidance. The portfolio includes a CDS software (in development/testing) for the new Customs Declaration Service, and VAT services including Postponed VAT Accounting support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Semaphore: Proprietary customs clearance software capable of receiving clearance instructions via XML, prepared spreadsheet, or via the company's Portal. Designed to minimize manual intervention by receiving instructions directly from client systems.

Products and services

• Import Customs Clearance Services

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HMRC / UK GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates direct connection to CHIEF computer system for customs declarations. Currently testing proprietary CDS software via UK Government's Trader Dress Rehearsal (TDR) in preparation for the customs migration to CDS.
• EyewebminorOthersExternal web development agency responsible for the company's website design and maintenance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Expeditors (UK): Global asset-light freight forwarder providing customs brokerage in the UK. Competes for the same multinational import/export clearance mandates as Relay Port Agency but at significantly greater scale.
• DHL Global Forwarding (UK): Global freight forwarder with in-house customs clearance. Listed as one of Relay Port Agency's customers (per select_customers) but also a broad incumbent whose own customs offering competes for similar enterprise mandates.
• DSV (UK): Global freight forwarder with customs capabilities. Like DHL, DSV is both a customer of Relay Port Agency and a broad incumbent competitor that could in-source the customs work.
• Kuehne+Nagel (UK): Global freight forwarder with a substantial UK customs brokerage division. Represents the larger incumbent that competes with RPA for enterprise customs work and could also be a potential channel partner or acquirer.
• C.H. Robinson (UK): Large global freight forwarder with customs brokerage operations. Operates at the enterprise end of the UK customs market and is a peer in terms of serving multinational shippers needing UK import/export documentation.
• Yusen Logistics (UK): Global logistics provider with UK freight forwarding and customs clearance services. Comparable to Relay Port Agency in serving multinational customers needing UK import/export documentation, though from a much broader portfolio.

Direct peers

• The Customs House Group: UK customs clearance and freight forwarding consultancy handling imports, exports and compliance. Directly comparable service-line offering with similar target customer segments and geographic focus on UK ports.
• Davies Turner: UK-headquartered freight forwarder with in-house customs clearance services covering imports, exports and VAT support. Directly comparable to Relay Port Agency in customer type (multinationals and forwarders) and core offering of paperwork-driven customs processing, though larger and asset-based.
• Ocean Customs Clearance: UK customs broker and clearance agent providing import/export documentation across multiple UK ports. A direct niche competitor to Relay Port Agency with similar port-wide coverage model and family-run heritage.
• CustomsLink: UK-focused customs clearance and freight forwarding specialist offering import/export documentation and CHIEF/CDS integration. Closest pure-play peer to Relay Port Agency in terms of service scope and SMB/enterprise mix.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/relay-port-agency-limited

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RELAY PORT AGENCY LIMITED