Senior Customs Trade Specialist

About the role

This position coordinates and interfaces with customers to facilitate the release of U.S. import shipments from Customs custody that have been identified as complex due to regulatory requirements and/or tariff combinations. These shipments carry greater risk to the company and must be handled separately and correctly.

The role involves completing classification activities, processing U.S. import caged shipments for timely release, performing audits, and ensuring volume is properly isolated for targeted processing. You will engage with customers on commodities requiring specialized processing to reduce risks such as liquidated damages or penalties through accurate classification and duty preference application.

At the time of release, you will determine the entry complexity and execute necessary actions to ensure proper handling throughout the import process. The role includes classifying highly complex and regulated imports, assessing duties/taxes payable to CBP, and validating special program indicators based on CBP regulations and current training.

You will answer inquiries from FedEx Express and FedEx Express customers about clearance status, utilize systems and tools to isolate high-risk commodities, and communicate with customers, CBP, and other government agencies to validate commodity scope. Adjustments to entries during pre- and post-release audits will ensure completeness, proper classification, and correct duty preference application.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and facilitate the release of complex U.S. import shipments from Customs custody.
• Complete classification activities and process U.S. import caged shipments for timely release.
• Perform audits and quality referral functions to ensure proper processing.
• Isolate and target volume for specialized processing to mitigate company risk.
• Engage with customers on commodities requiring specialized processing to reduce risks of liquidated damages or penalties.
• Determine entry complexity at the time of release and execute necessary actions for proper handling.
• Classify highly complex and regulated imports using classification support materials and customs regulations.
• Assess duties/taxes payable to CBP and validate special program indicators.
• Ensure decisions align with CBP regulations, current training, and entry processing instructions.
• Answer customer inquiries about clearance status using FedEx systems and tools.
• Isolate high-risk commodities using the internet, FedEx systems, spreadsheets, and manifest scrolling.
• Communicate with customers, CBP, and other government agencies to validate commodity scope.
• Adjust entries during pre- and post-release audits to ensure completeness, proper classification, and duty preference application.

Requirements

• Associate degree or equivalent.
• Three years of business experience working directly in an international brokerage environment.
• One year of customer contact experience, including phone-based call center or analytical problem-solving roles.
• Demonstrated knowledge of customs regulations, harmonized tariff schedules, and special tariff treatment programs.
• Ability to analyze data and make sound decisions in a time-sensitive atmosphere.
• Six months of brokerage experience.
• One year of experience using computer systems in a professional, educational, or comparable environment (e.g., data entry, document creation, software navigation).

Qualifications

• Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) certification preferred.
• Brokers license preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving skills with the ability to handle high-volume, time-sensitive work.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in using multiple systems and reference materials.
• Experience interacting with customers, carriers, brokers, government agencies, internal staff, and management.

Pay

$23.34 - $35.01 USD hourly.

Schedule

Monday, Friday: 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Hybrid schedule.