Recover Import Duties On Returned Goods

The Only Dedicated Crossborder Retail Duty Drawback

returned eCom order

You’re Overpaying on Crossborder Returns
Here’s How to Fix It

Recover 100% of duties

on returned or re-exported goods
no manual paperwork.

No Budget Threshold

Our solution supports both small and large drawback budgets. Every customer counts!

One partner, global reach

UK, EU, and UK duty mitigation
no coordinator needed.

Two Ways to Mitigate Import Duties Starting Today

Cross-Border Returns?

When international shoppers return items, you lose the duties you paid. We automate claims to refund up to 100% of those fees—so every return puts money back in your pocket.

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US duty drawback process for eCommerce returns

Re-Exporting Inventory?

Paying UK duties and foreign tariffs? Stop double-paying.
Benefit from our HMRC's compliant solution to mitigate UK duty payment on transiting inventory.

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Duty drawback workflow for re-exported inventory

Who Benefits From Duty Drawback?

If your eCommerce brand imports goods, pays duties, and later sees returns, re-exports, or other eligible movements, duty drawback can turn those costs into recoverable cash.

We help CFOs and finance teams improve cash flow, reduce returns-related expenses, and manage the process through one experienced point of contact.

Read our insights

For eCommerce brands

Recover duties tied to returns, re-exports, and other eligible customs movements without adding internal complexity.

For finance leaders

Improve working capital and reduce the cost of returns with a single partner for global duty recovery.

Your Duty Drawback Challenges, Solved

01

"Import duties are eroding my margins".

No in-house bandwidth? No problem.
We handle HMRC reports, data, and customs so you reclaim every pound owed, effortlessly.

02

"Small drawback budgets mean no broker support".

At TDR, there are no minimums and no wasted effort. We assess each opportunity for cost-effective recovery so even modest budgets get results.
Tailored, low-effort recovery for startups and small retailers — scalable support that maximizes returns without straining resources.

03

"Upfront costs are killing my working capital".

Success-based fees mean we only earn when you do.
Pure profit recovery. No cash flow strain.

04

"Global duties are a profit leak I can't plug".

29 countries covered. One seamless process.
Maximize cash flow across every border, every market.

F.A.Q

Your Questions Answered

Duty Drawback is a process that allows you to recover 100% of duties, taxes, and fees paid on imported goods that are later exported or destroyed. For retail brands, this means reclaiming costs on customer returns shipped back overseas. It directly improves your landed cost margins and cash flow.

Yes, if you meet three conditions: (1) You were the importer when the goods entered the UK, (2) documentation show that returned goods identical to the imported ones, and (3) the return transaction took place within 3 years of claim submission. Many non-UK brands overlook this. Returns can generate 6-8% cost savings on original import duties.

If you import goods into the UK and later export them unused to consignees (e.g., distributors, subsidiaries), you can avoid paying for import duties. UK bonded warehouse is the most practical solution for retail.

Simply put, data and documentation that relate to import and export processes are required. That includes commercial invoice and also customs entry details.

The TDR Advantage: Our team will provide all necessary support to create a compliant repository of documentation. With your consent, they will also access your CDS portal and pull down necessary data.

HMRC processes claims in 1-3 months on average.

The TDR Advantage: Our support team submit claims and handles customs enquiry online to minimise processing time.

Finance teams: Plan for a 3-month working capital cycle—but refunds are interest-free, so the ROI is effectively the full duty amount recovered.

100% of duties, taxes, and most fees. Claims must be submitted within 3 years after the initial importation date.

Avoid these mistakes: (1) Missing export proof (e.g., no CDS entry details, no commercial invoice...), (2) Inadequate inventory tracking (can't link imports to exports), (3) Late filings (3-year deadline from import), (4) Incorrect HTS classification mismatches, and (5) Using non-identical goods.

The TDR Advantage: Our team will support you implementing a drawback-specific ERP workflow before claiming.

DIY: Feasible if you have an HMRC approved customs software and robust customs expertise.
Alternatively, TDR takes care of all the heavy lifting, the EDI connection with Customs and typically increases recovery rate by 30% through optimization.

Yes—HMRC audits ~5% of claims annually. Red flags: High claim volumes, frequent substitution use, or inconsistent documentation. Mitigation: (1) Conduct a pre-filing audit of your records, (2) Use CDS platform (HMRC's preferred system), (3) Document everything (e.g., why substitution was used), and (4) Designate a single POC for HMRC inquiries. Penalties for negligence can include denied claims or fines up to the duty amount.

The TDR Advantage: Trust our expert team to submit fully compliant claims to HMRC and reduce the risk of Customs audits.

Dedicated retail duty drawback expertise: TDR is the only partner focused on crossborder retail drawback, with a specialist process built for eCommerce returns and re-exported inventory.

Cost-effective for any retailer: No budget threshold and success-based fees mean TDR supports small and large drawback budgets, so retailers pay only when recovery succeeds.

Simplifies global duty recovery: One partner handles UK, EU, and UK duty mitigation without the customer needing a separate coordinator, reducing complexity and improving cash flow.

Your Competitors Are Already Reclaiming Their Duties. Are You?

Average client recovers
£50K–£1500K/year in duties

Get Your Free Savings Estimate (No commitment, no forms. Just answers.)

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