Terms of Service

1. About these terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the Meridian Drawback UK website and any services provided by Meridian Drawback UK ("we", "us", "our"), a company registered in England & Wales (company number 16883417). By using our website or engaging our services, you agree to these Terms.

2. Our services

Meridian Drawback UK provides compliance-led support and process management for duty and VAT recovery on international trade. Our services include:

• Managed Compliance Hub (End to End): Full-service returns lane management including return-to-export matching, evidence pack creation, CDS filing, exception handling, and monthly reporting.
• Customs Gateway (Real-Time RGR at Re-Import): Compliance engine for clients with stable returns operations, providing automated MRN matching, CDS submission, and border outcome reporting.
• Historical Duty & VAT Recovery Audit: Structured audit covering up to 3 years of transactions to identify and quantify reclaimable duties and VAT across Returned Goods Relief (RGR), Customs Drawback, and duty overpayments.
• Customs Drawback & Duty Relief: Recovery of duty on re-exported goods, correction of overpayments arising from HS code, valuation, or procedural errors, and re-export compliance evidence.
• 3PL Partnership Programme: Enabling 3PL providers, fulfilment centres, and returns management companies to offer duty and VAT recovery as a value-added service to their e-commerce clients.
• Optional add-ons: Data readiness and cleanup, integration support, evidence standards, custom reporting, dispute support, and training.

Important: We provide process and compliance SLAs, but we do not guarantee minimum recovery amounts, HMRC approval timelines, or specific financial outcomes. Final eligibility and outcomes depend on HMRC rules, the quality of evidence and data provided, and HMRC review.

3. Representation model

Where we act on your behalf, we operate as your Direct Customs Representative under a signed Letter of Authority in accordance with Article 18 of the Union Customs Code (UCC). You remain the Declarant and importer of record at all times. The Letter of Authority authorises Meridian to access your MSS data, submit declarations via CDS, and liaise with forwarders and carriers on your behalf.

You are responsible for the accuracy of information and documents you provide to us. Meridian is responsible for the quality and compliance of the filing process.

4. Your obligations

• Provide accurate, complete, and timely data and documentation as requested
• Maintain a valid EORI number and VAT registration
• Provide access to relevant systems and data sources (e.g. HMRC MSS, export CSVs, ERP/WMS) as required for service delivery
• Notify us promptly of any changes to your business, operations, or data that may affect eligibility
• Not use our website or services for any unlawful purpose

5. Fees and payment

Fees for our services are agreed in writing before work begins. Our pricing structure includes:

• Recovery audits: Performance-based success fee model. No recovery, no fee. Success fees are tiered from 18% to 25% depending on recovery volume.
• Ongoing managed services: Volume-based monthly fees scaled to your returns volume, plus onboarding fees where applicable.
• Optional value-added services: Priced separately as agreed.

Specific fee structures, payment terms, and any applicable minimum thresholds are detailed in your service agreement.

6. Eligibility check and audit tools

The eligibility questionnaire, recovery potential calculator, and recovery audit tools on this website provide indicative assessments only. They do not constitute professional advice or a guarantee of recovery. Estimates are based on industry benchmarks and the inputs you provide. A formal engagement and detailed review of your data is required before any claims are submitted to HMRC.

7. AI-Assisted Features

Meridian uses artificial intelligence to support data validation, extraction, and narrative generation. AI outputs are recommendations and do not determine regulatory positions without human review and approval. You remain responsible for providing accurate data, and Meridian's liability and indemnity terms are not affected by the use of AI in our service delivery.

8. Data and evidence requirements

Successful duty and VAT recovery depends on the quality and completeness of the data and evidence provided. Minimum requirements typically include:

• Export references (MRNs) linking to original outbound shipments
• Returns data (order IDs, SKUs, return reasons)
• Import entry records showing duty and VAT paid
• Commercial invoices and transport documentation
• Intake evidence (photos, condition grading) where applicable

We assess data readiness during onboarding and work with you to address gaps. However, we cannot guarantee recovery where data quality is insufficient to support HMRC-compliant claims.

9. Compliance platform

Our Compliance Hub Platform is a proprietary RegTech platform used to deliver our services. Access to the platform is provided as part of your service agreement and is subject to these Terms. The platform includes case management, MRN matching, evidence pack assembly, exception handling, and reporting functionality. Platform access may be provided at different levels depending on your role (client, 3PL partner, or operator).

10. Intellectual property

All content on this website (text, graphics, logos, tools) and the Compliance Hub Platform are owned by or licensed to Meridian Drawback UK and are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our written consent.

11. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Meridian Drawback UK shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of our website, platform, or services. Our total liability shall not exceed the fees paid by you for the specific service giving rise to the claim.

We do not accept liability for HMRC decisions, processing delays, or changes in legislation or policy that affect the outcome of claims filed on your behalf.

12. Confidentiality

We treat all client data and business information as confidential. We will not disclose your information to third parties except as required to deliver our services, comply with legal obligations, or as set out in our Privacy Policy.

13. 3PL partner terms

Where Meridian provides services through a 3PL partner arrangement, the 3PL partner is responsible for intake evidence capture, condition grading, and physical handling of goods. Meridian is responsible for the compliance workflow including MRN matching, evidence pack assembly, CDS filing, and exception handling. Specific responsibilities are defined in the partner service agreement.

14. Termination

Either party may terminate the service agreement in accordance with the terms set out in the specific service contract. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access to our website or platform if these Terms are breached. Upon termination, any outstanding fees for work completed or in progress remain payable.

15. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

16. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at [email protected].