Customs Compliance Specialist

Job Title:
Customs Compliance Specialist
Location: NEWARK, NJ 07102
Duration: 6+ months
Position Type:
Hourly contract Position (W2 only)

Position Overview

The Customs Compliance Specialist plays a vital role in maintaining the efficiency and reliability of our company's supply chain network. This position is responsible for supporting daily Customs compliance operations, with a special focus on US and Canadian imports and exports, duty accruals and payments, and exceptional recordkeeping. The ideal candidate possesses strong organizational and analytical skills, accuracy in recording information, a keen attention to detail, and the ability to proactively monitor Customs compliance-related challenges as they arise, ensuring seamless operations across the supply chain.

Being able to quickly adjust to dynamic Customs compliance requirements is strongly desired.

Key Responsibilities:

• Daily Operations Support:
  • Actively monitor compliance and logistics-related activities, identifying and resolving issues under the manager's guidance, to maintain the uninterrupted flow of goods and information.
  • Serve as a point of contact for logistics inquiries, collaborating closely with internal teams, carriers, brokers, and vendors to ensure resolutions are timely and effective.
  • Utilize a variety of logistics and tracking portals to monitor shipments, update stakeholders, and document exceptions or delays.
  • Capable of identifying and proposing process improvements to optimize daily workflows and strengthen supply chain resilience.
• US Imports Support:
  • Compile and maintain the Inbound Report by recording all new shipment information, sourcing data from pre-alert notifications and the Track and Trace Inbound Report.
  • Monitor shipment exceptions and daily holds, addressing challenges promptly to minimize delays and avoid operational disruptions.
  • Oversee Importer Security Filing (ISF) information for ocean shipments, ensuring timely and accurate submissions in compliance with US Customs regulations.
  • Update brokerage billing information using data extracted from brokers' portals, maintaining clear and current transactional records.
  • Track and trace incoming shipments as required, keeping all relevant parties informed of critical status updates or deviations from expected delivery timelines.
• Duty Accruals / Payments Support (US Imports):
  • Record entry information for all imported shipments, referencing data from the brokers' reporting, and validating accuracy against the reporting from company's ACE portal.
  • Add both daily and monthly duty statement information onto the Inbound Report, ensuring all records are up-to-date to facilitate accurate accruals and timely payments to government agencies.
  • Support the finance and logistics teams by providing necessary documentation and reporting for audits or internal reviews.
• US Exports Support:
  • Maintain the Outbound Report by recording all export shipment information, capturing data from relevant internal and external sources.
  • Update shipping information promptly to reflect actual movement and delivery milestones, ensuring all parties have access to the latest status reports.
  • Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve any discrepancies or issues related to outbound shipments.
• Canadian Imports Support:
  • Compile and manage the Canadian Inbound Report, recording detailed shipment information for all inbound Canadian freight.
  • Proactively monitor exceptions, addressing holds or delays in collaboration with brokers and carriers.
  • Update brokerage billing information for Canadian imports, ensuring all records are accurate and reconciled with invoices and payments.
  • Track and trace Canadian inbound shipments as necessary, maintaining clear communication with stakeholders about shipment progress and potential concerns.
• Duty/GST Accruals / Payments Support (Canadian Imports):
  • Record release information for all Canadian imports using data included in company's CARM portal, supporting accurate customs declarations and compliance.
  • Add monthly payment information for both duty and GST obligations, ensuring timely remittance and proper documentation for tax and legal purposes.
  • Collaborate with finance and accounting teams to support periodic reporting and internal controls.
• Classification Database Management:
  • Maintain the item master and classification databases, ensuring all product declarations are current and precise to facilitate accurate tariff and duty assessments.
  • Monitor and update Section 232-specific tariff information, staying informed on changing regulatory requirements and trade policies.
  • Maintain OGA (Other Government Agency) and PGA (Partner Government Agency) databases to ensure smooth regulatory compliance across all shipments.
  • Record and update product classifications as needed, working with internal teams and external factories to resolve classification queries or discrepancies.
• Comprehensive Recordkeeping
  • US Imports & Exports:
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