After several years I decided it was time for a different experience. I became a freight forwarder, but not just any freight forwarder. I went to work for a company that supplies ships. A world opened up for me here. I had to deal with road transport, inland shipping, air freight, sea freight, courier services. Ship parts were delivered on board in every corner of the world. I also took my first steps in the world of customs and obtained my diploma as a customs declarant.

I liked it so much that I decided to start a company as a customs broker. After a difficult start, the company got off the ground and started to run smoothly. Nevertheless, I still turned out to be a bit too inexperienced and I took a bit too much risk for customs terms. The company was doing well, actually a bit too well, and as a result I became the customs target. The risks taken were too big and I had to slow down.

In the end I decided to sell the company and started working for a customs broker again. A beautiful family business where I had the opportunity to learn the tricks of the customs and related matters. In the years that I have worked there, I have grown both professionally and privately and I have developed a vision that I believe belongs to the future of a customs broker.

I was eager to apply that vision when I was approached for a position with an international freight forwarder. This was the first time I also came into contact with warehouse activities. This company had been around for many years, but until recently it did not have an office in the Netherlands. I was challenged to set up a customs department and support the director to grow the company into a major power in Rotterdam. Although I also learned a lot here and laid the foundation of the customs department, I soon noticed that my mentality and vision did not match the company.

It was therefore not surprising that I sought my future elsewhere and ended up with another start-up business. This was a company that trades in aviation supplies, but also provides the logistics services surrounding it. A small market in a big world. At this company the objective was to start a customs department. Unfortunately, the covid period came shortly after my start and as a company we were unable to continue immediately. Many things were put on hold, but we made a virtue of necessity and developed great things with a small team. At this company I was given the responsibility for the customs warehouse, excise warehouse, consumer tax goods, the associated administration and monthly declarations. A centipede in which I was involved in every activity.

Brexit was finalised and I soon noticed that this meant that every customs agent had their hands full. To me it felt like an opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands. And that’s how Customs Together was born. With the experience I have gained at all companies, and the insight into the wishes of the logistics market, I have developed a future-proof vision and try to storm the customs market. Well, storm, actually I don’t want Customs Together to become a very big player. I like to keep it cozy and cosy, but with the Rotterdam mentality. Niet lullen maar poetsen.

Matthieu van Dijke