About Us

Originally established in 1991 as Michael Galloway Consultancy, The Duty Specialists was renamed in 2010 following a change of ownership. The family firm is now flourishing under the leadership of its principal consultant, Sandra Smith, and backed by the extensive historical industry knowledge of Michael Galloway.

Sandra, owner of The Duty Specialists since 2010, joined the business in 2001 following a successful management career with a major nationwide retailer. Since then Sandra has developed extensive knowledge in complex areas such as tariff classification and duty relief regimes, and has made an enormous contribution to development of the highly successful SCDP (Simplified Customs Declaration Procedure) service which the firm provides to some of its largest clients.

The intervening years have seen the development of an impressive portfolio of clients, with a wide geographical spread, including major players in the electronics, chemical, furniture manufacturing and oil field supply sectors. During this period we have also become one of the very few customs consultancy practices to have secured AEO accreditation.

Sandra is based in Cupar, Fife, Scotland.

Mike's career in the international trade environment spans over 50 years, during which he has experienced, at first hand, some tumultuous changes of practice, procedures and legislation in the course of his work.

The earlier part of his career, which began in his native Scotland prior to moving to the London area in 1977, included many years of pan-European management responsibility for the customs and trade affairs of a leading US-based computer firm.

In 1986 Mike's career in customs affairs took a significant change of direction when he was recruited into a senior consultancy position within the Customs & VAT team at accountants Price Waterhouse. Some 6 years thereafter Mike established his independent consultancy practice in the Greater Manchester area.

Mike, a member of the Customs Practitioners Group is based on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District, yet only a half-hour from central Manchester.

Support Staff

All staff have received extensive training on the specific customs declaration requirements of each client using our SCDP bureau service. Their work is under the constant supervision of Sandra and Mike who, each month, also audit the duty and VAT declarations made to Customs.