Accelerated Global Logistics (AGL) is seeking an entry-level Import Specialist to support international air and ocean shipments arriving in the United States.
This position is designed for someone who wants to build a career in freight forwarding and international logistics. Previous freight-forwarding experience is helpful but not required. We will train the right person who is organized, dependable, willing to learn, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.
AGL is an international freight forwarder—not a customs broker. The Import Operations Specialist will work closely with outside licensed customs brokers, airlines, ocean carriers, warehouses, truckers, overseas agents, and customers to move shipments from arrival through customs release and final delivery.
Primary Responsibilities
- Coordinate import shipments arriving by air and ocean.
- Review shipping documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, air waybills, bills of lading, and arrival notices.
- Verify that shipment information is complete and accurate before sending documents to the customs broker.
- Prepare and transmit complete clearance document packages to outside customs brokers.
- Monitor customs-clearance status and follow up on missing information, holds, examinations, or release delays.
- Track shipments from origin through arrival, customs release, availability, pickup, and final delivery.
- Communicate with airlines, steamship lines, terminals, container freight stations, warehouses, and truckers.
- Coordinate airport recoveries, container pickups, LCL cargo releases, deliveries, and empty-container returns.
- Monitor free-time deadlines and help prevent storage, demurrage, detention, and other avoidable charges.
- Obtain delivery orders, freight releases, terminal availability, and other required shipment releases.
- Provide customers with clear and timely shipment updates.
- Maintain accurate shipment notes, documents, dates, costs, and milestones in the company’s operating system.
- Review vendor invoices and assist with shipment billing and file closing.
- Escalate urgent problems before they cause missed pickups, additional costs, or service failures.
- Follow company procedures and all applicable import-security and compliance requirements.
- Assist with other operational responsibilities as training and experience increase.
What You Will Learn
This role provides practical experience in:
- International air and ocean freight forwarding
- Import documentation and shipment terminology
- The U.S. customs-clearance process
- Working with licensed customs brokers
- Airline, ocean-carrier, warehouse, and terminal operations
- Cargo availability and delivery coordination
- Demurrage, detention, storage, and free-time management
- Customer service and international business communication
- Perishable and time-sensitive logistics
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- College degree is not required.
- Prior logistics, transportation, customer-service, administrative, or office experience is helpful but not required.
- Strong attention to detail and willingness to follow established procedures.
- Comfortable working with email, spreadsheets, web portals, and multiple computer systems.
- Able to organize several shipments and deadlines at the same time.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Able to communicate professionally with customers, vendors, and international partners.
- Willing to ask questions, accept feedback, and learn from mistakes.
- Dependable, punctual, and responsive during working hours.
- Able to remain calm and think clearly when shipments encounter delays or unexpected problems.
Preferred—but Not Required
- Familiarity with air waybills, bills of lading, commercial invoices, or packing lists.
- Experience working for a freight forwarder, airline, ocean carrier, trucking company, warehouse, or customs broker.
- Exposure to international trade, import logistics, or perishable cargo.
- Experience with Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Teams, and SharePoint.
- Fluency in an additional language.
The Right Person for This Role
The ideal candidate does not need to know freight forwarding on day one. We are looking for someone who is curious, responsible, detail-oriented, and genuinely interested in learning the international freight industry.
This position is a strong starting point for someone who eventually wants to grow into import operations, air freight, ocean freight, customs brokerage, account management, trade-lane management, or international logistics leadership.
About Accelerated Global Logistics
Accelerated Global Logistics is a U.S.-based international freight forwarder specializing in air and ocean transportation, including perishable and time-sensitive cargo. We coordinate shipments through a global network of airlines, ocean carriers, truckers, warehouses, customs brokers, and overseas logistics partners.
Our business depends on accurate execution, proactive communication, and taking ownership of each shipment. We provide hands-on training, but we also expect employees to become increasingly independent, identify problems early, and follow every shipment through completion.
Pay: $15.00 - $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Paid time off
- Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Houston, TX 77002
