SUMMARY:
The Customs and Tariff Specialist is responsible for ensuring full compliance with all import and export regulations, customs requirements, tariff classifications, and international trade laws. This position supports daily international shipping operations while minimizing risk, controlling duty costs, and maintaining compliance with U.S. and global trade regulations.
The role works closely with supply chain, purchasing, logistics, finance, customs brokers, freight forwarders, suppliers, and government agencies to ensure efficient movement of goods across international borders.
This position also monitors changing tariff activity, trade agreements, and government regulations that impact business operations, sourcing strategies, and landed costs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Customs Compliance
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Ensure compliance with all applicable import and export regulations, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements and other international trade regulations.
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Manage and maintain accurate HTS classifications for imported products and materials.
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Review customs documentation for accuracy, including:
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Commercial invoices
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Packing lists
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Certificates of origin
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Bills of lading
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Ensure compliance with Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
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Import declarations
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Coordinate with customs brokers and freight forwarders to ensure timely customs clearance. The position coordinates with brokers but does not formally manage broker performance.
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Support and manage customs audits, broker reviews, and internal compliance assessments.
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Conduct periodic internal audits of customs entries, trade compliance records, and import/export documentation to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
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Maintain import and export records in accordance with regulatory retention requirements.
Tariff Management
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Monitor tariff changes, trade policies, anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, and special trade programs.
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Analyze tariff impacts on purchased materials, components, and finished goods.
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Identify opportunities for tariff reduction and duty savings through:
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Free trade agreements
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Duty drawback
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Country of origin analysis
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Tariff engineering
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Foreign trade zones
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Temporary import programs
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Provide leadership with regular updates regarding tariff exposure and financial impact.
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Support sourcing and procurement teams with landed cost analysis and tariff forecasting.
Trade Program Administration
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Manage compliance activities related to trade agreements such as:
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USMCA
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CAFTA
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Other regional or country specific agreements
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Validate supplier certificates and origin documentation.
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Coordinate annual solicitations and maintenance of supplier trade compliance records.
Operational Support
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Partner with purchasing, logistics, production, and finance teams to support uninterrupted material flow.
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Resolve customs holds, shipment delays, and classification disputes.
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Assist with ERP and SAP related trade compliance data accuracy.
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Develop and maintain internal procedures and work instructions related to customs and tariff compliance.
Reporting and Analysis
Prepare reports related to:
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Duty spends
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Tariff exposure
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Customs penalties
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Brokerage activity
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Compliance metrics
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Track and report key trade compliance KPIs.
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Recommend process improvements to reduce costs and improve compliance performance.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position will not have supervisory responsibilities.
Strong knowledge of:
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HTS classification
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Customs valuation
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Country of origin rules
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Import/export regulations
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International shipping documentation
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Trade agreements
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Tariff regulations
Working knowledge of:
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USMCA
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CBP regulations
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EAR
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OFAC
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International trade compliance programs
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to interpret complex government regulations and apply them operationally.
Advanced Excel skills preferred.
Experience with ERP systems such as SAP preferred.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, International Business, Logistics, Business Administration, Finance, or related field preferred. Three to 7 years of experience in customs compliance, international trade, import/export operations, or tariff administration. Experience in a manufacturing environment is strongly preferred. Automotive industry experience preferred. Experience working with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and government agencies required.
Preferred Certifications:
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Licensed Customs Broker (LCB)
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Certified Customs Specialist (CCS)
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Certified Export Specialist (CES)
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers or regulatory agencies or members of the business community. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Bi-lingual communication in both English and Spanish is preferred.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to perform cost and duty calculations.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to thirty pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Normal amount of sitting and standing, average mobility to move around an office and plant environment, able to conduct normal amount of work on a computer. Required travel will consist of traveling from plant to plant (Fehrer, Supplier, Customer), including international travel may be required.
