40 framework clients, 20 years at the port
CBAM and the customs reform bring work and software costs. Customs Support has approached you. You do not want to become site number 40.
Does this sound familiar?
Two situations we know
Export control as a specialty
Dual-use, sanctions lists, AEO. Your know-how is in demand, your team is small. You are looking for capital to scale.
Your day-to-day, as we know it
This is what happens in your business before anyone talks about succession
Documents arrive too late
The commercial invoice and packing list arrive by email while the goods are already waiting. The ATLAS declaration still has to go out immediately.
Guessing the tariff code
The client only writes spare parts on the invoice. Your declarant searches for the classification and carries the risk of a post-clearance recovery.
Preference and origin
The client wants preferential treatment but supplies no supplier declarations. The preference calculation falls to you.
Sanctions lists and dual-use
Every new recipient must be screened. Goods listed in Annex I of the Dual-Use Regulation need a license from BAFA.
How we measure your company
The metrics we look at in the first call
We look at the numbers you use to run your business yourself. The right column shows our acquisition criterion.
| Metric | What it tells us | Our benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Framework clients with power of attorney | Shows how much of your volume is based on fixed representation relationships. | We look for at least 50 framework clients. |
| Customs declarations per year by procedure | Shows the mix of import, export via AES and transit via NCTS. | Volume per client, three years. |
| Number of customs declarants | Shows whether the know-how is spread across several people or sits with the owner. | We look for several experienced declarants. |
| Authorizations and AEO status | Shows which simplifications you can use for clients. | Good with AEO-C and own authorizations. |
| Share of indirect representation | Shows how much duty liability you carry yourself. | Disclosed openly, with a guarantee. |
What actually changes after the acquisition
Step by step
We automate the desk work. Professional decisions and customer contact stay with your people.
TodayTransfer invoice data into the ATLAS declaration
With GTPItems, values and weights are read from the invoice and packing list. The declarant checks and sends.
TodaySuggest tariff codes for new items
With GTPA suggestion with reasons comes from the item description and client history. The declarant decides on the classification.
TodayScreen recipients against sanctions lists
With GTPScreening runs automatically with every order. The specialist assesses hits.
TodayCollect and follow up on supplier declarations
With GTPRequests and reminders go out automatically. The origin check stays with the expert.
Your systems stay in use:ATLASAEBDAKOSYBEO
AI potential in the segment
How much desk work can really be automated here
This is GTP's assessment. We show it upfront so you can see what we will work with after the acquisition.
Suggested tariff classification
A model reads item descriptions and suggests the commodity code with reasons, and the declarant confirms.
Document check before declaration
Text recognition and rule matching check the invoice, packing list and proof of preference for contradictions before the ATLAS declaration.
Screen sanctions lists continuously
Automatic name matching checks clients and consignees against sanctions and dual-use lists every day.
What limits the technology here
The declarant remains liable for the accuracy of the declaration, and wrong classification leads to post-clearance recovery and fines.
What this means for you
Show us your line item data for the last three years, and we will work out the automation lever for you.
Sources Council of the EU: agreement on the customs reform with the EU Customs Data Hub from July 1, 2028 and Trust and Check status (2026) · IAB brief report 5/2024: substitution potential of business services at 52.5% (2024)
What we want to see
The documents we need
After the first call and the non-disclosure agreement, these five documents are enough for a solid offer.
- Framework client list with powers of attorney and type of representation
- Declaration statistics by import, export and transit for the last three years
- Authorizations, AEO certificate and guarantees
- Audit reports from the customs administration and post-clearance recoveries
- Organization chart of customs declarants with qualifications and length of service
What we buy
Our acquisition profile for this segment
Criteria
- 50 or more framework clients, churn below 10%
- Customs declarants on the team, powers of attorney documented
- EBITDA €0.5m to €5m
- ATLAS connection, AEO support
Value drivers
- Framework contracts with industrial clients
- AEO and preference calculation as an add-on service
- Automated classification
Value reducers
- Dependence on one freight forwarder
- Cyclical volume without framework contracts
- Know-how held only by the owner
How you can tell we know your business
Three facts you can quote
- 01Customs Support Group (Castik) has more than 1,500 employees in 13 countries and bought Porath, iZD, First Class Zollservice and Verex in Germany (customssupport.com 2026).
- 02The IHK Export Academy lists 74 customs service providers across Germany (2026).
- 03CBAM has required certificates since 2026, and the EU customs reform creates the role of the Trust & Check customs agent.
Market range, third-party source
What comparable companies trade at in the market
| Size class | EBITDA multiple |
|---|---|
| Micro-cap, revenue below €5m The relevant class for most succession cases in this segment | 3.5x to 5.5x |
| Small-cap, revenue €5m to €50m | 5.0x to 7.0x |
Category business services (B2B). Source: DUB KMU-Multiples Q2/2026. The DUB figures show asking prices and price expectations on a business marketplace. They do not include completed transactions. The range comes from an independent third party and is not an offer from GTP.
From multiple to cash
The multiple gives the enterprise value. What reaches your account depends on four items:
- Net financial debt
- Loans, leases and shareholder accounts are deducted, cash is added.
- Working capital
- We assume a normal level. An account emptied before the sale reduces the price.
- Investment backlog
- Vehicles, measuring equipment and software due in the next two years are deducted from the price.
- Payment structure
- Part of the price is paid only after signing, through a rollover or a performance-based component.
What lowers the value
If one of these points applies, the value drops:
- The owner personally holds the key customers
- Short remaining terms or contracts that can be terminated at any time
- If a large share of revenue depends on one customer, the price goes down.
- No second management level that runs the business without the owner
We calculate your value in the first call using your numbers. We go through the four items openly with you, even if the result is below your expectations.
All market data and the regulatory timeline for compliance, testing and certification
Frequently asked questions
What owners in this segment ask
Are 40 framework clients enough?
With high loyalty, we are happy to take a look. What matters is churn, powers of attorney and whether your clerks hold the client relationships.
How are you different from Customs Support?
The difference is the target size. Customs Support buys large agencies and integrates them. We buy from €0.5m EBITDA and build a platform from your company.
What do you automate?
Classification, document checks, sanctions list screening. The declarant still decides and remains liable.
How fast?
Response usually within 72 h, indicative offer in 2 to 4 weeks, closing usually in 6 to 9 months.
Compliance, testing and certification
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Why we buy this segment
Your clients have obligations to meet, and your business makes sure they do. We buy businesses that do this reliably. Professional responsibility stays with the people who carry it today.
I am responsible for the purchase agreement and the handover. For businesses that need a license or accreditation, the deal structure decides whether the approval survives the change of ownership.
For M&A advisors, tax advisors and succession advisors
Response on your client usually within 72 hours
Acquisition profile, teaser metrics and our commitments for all 24 segments are on a separate page. We only approach your client through you.
First step
Talk to a buyer who knows your segment
A 30-minute call is enough to know whether we fit. Afterwards you get a written assessment with reasons.
Request a confidential first call
Or call us: +49 40 89741812
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