Main Purpose:
Job Summary:
The Customs Senior Specialist provides experienced advisory support to ensure that company operations align with U.S. and international customs laws and trade regulations, including excise duties. The primary focus of this role is to support internal teams in understanding customs strategy, trade program utilization, and documentation standard methodologies for efficient movement of goods across borders. The right candidate will deliver strategic insights on customs and excise matters, help internal collaborators, and develop positive relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and government agencies.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities, Key Responsibilities:
Key Responsibilities:
1. Customs and Excise Advisory:
•Provide expert guidance on U.S. customs regulations, classification, valuation, origin rules, and excise duties to support operational decision-making.
•Advise on documentation requirements for import/export shipments, ensuring accuracy and alignment with regulatory expectations.
•Stay ahead of updates and trends in U.S. customs laws, trade agreements (e.g., USMCA), tariffs, and excise tax rules to advise business strategy.
2. Customs and Excise Strategy and Planning:
•Collaborate with cross-functional teams (commercial, legal, etc) to develop and implement effective customs and excise strategies.
•Provide insights on applicable customs duties, excise taxes, trade programs, exemptions, and free trade agreements to optimize costs and efficiency.
•Support risk assessment efforts by identifying potential trade-related challenges and opportunities in the supply chain.
3. Training & Internal Support:
•Deliver training sessions and workshops to internal teams and external partners (e.g., customs brokers) on customs procedures and standard methodologies.
•Act as a technical resource for customs and excise inquiries, assisting commercial and operational teams with sophisticated questions.
4. Collaborator Relationship Management:
•Build and maintain positive working relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and U.S. customs authorities to facilitate smooth communications and issue resolution.
•Serve as a liaison for customs-related matters, coordinating with external partners and government officials as needed.
5. Problem Solving and Issue Resolution:
•Provide expertise to resolve customs clearance or excise-related challenges by working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners.
•Support troubleshooting efforts to address shipment delays or discrepancies with customs authorities.
6. Reporting & Analysis:
•Prepare and present reports highlighting customs and excise trends, strategic insights, and process improvement opportunities.
•Analyze customs data to identify areas for operational improvements and cost optimization within the import/export workflow.
Key Relationships and Department Overview:
•Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in International Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field. Relevant certifications such as Licensed Customs Broker, Certified Customs Specialist, or Certified Export Specialist are preferred.
+ Proven experience in U.S. customs compliance, excise duties, international trade, or related field.
+ In-depth knowledge of U.S. customs laws, CBP regulations, classification, excise tax regulations, and U.S. trade compliance.
+ Strong analytical, diligent, and problem-solving skills.
+ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for coordination with internal teams and government agencies.
+ Ability to prioritize and handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
+ Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant customs/trade compliance software.
•Language: Additional language skills are a plus.
•Industry: Experience in the oil and gas industry and Metal/concentrates or other relevant sectors is helpful.