Customs Entry Writer

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a customs entry writer, your primary responsibilities are to review import and export documents, ensure that all customs invoices and shipment papers are present, and prepare paperwork for clearance. You use specialized software to track inventory, apply for drawbacks and refunds, sign documents, organize customs rejections, answer client questions, complete clerical duties, and monitor the processing for goods going through customs

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handle all operations, billing, and customer service functions for ocean and air import shipments in a timely manner.
• Complete and file U.S. Customs entries for Import shipments.
• Maintain a working knowledge of all rules, regulations, and procedures of U.S. Customs, FDA, USDA and other relevant government agencies.
• Correctly classify cargo using the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).
• Explain classifications to customers in a clear, understandable manner as necessary.
• Review incoming commercial documents for correctness, and take appropriate action if incomplete or inaccurate documents are received.
• Handle issues relating to Customs clearance such as, but not limited to, Customs exams, FDA holds, ISF holds, AMS mismatches, and so on.
• Help to on-board new customers and create/edit SOPs for them as necessary.
• Respond to all booking requests in a timely manner, and make sure that any and all follow-up is done both with origin agents and local consignees.
• Handle communication with various overseas agents regarding bookings and the negotiation of handling fees and other origin costs.
• Send rate quotes to new and existing customers in a timely manner, and be able to explain those quotes in detail.
• Reply to e-mails, phone calls, and voicemails in a timely and professional manner.
• Ensure that current rates are provided to operations personnel for ocean shipments.
• Take the lead in solving any problems that occur with shipments, and make sure that all parties who need to be kept updated receive timely updates.
• Liaise between truckers, customers, and delivery locations for final delivery of ocean shipments.

DUE TO COVID-19, THIS POSITION WILL BE WORK-FROM-HOME ON A TEMPORARY BASIS.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 2-5 years of entry writing experience.
• Familiarity with both ocean and air import and export.
• Friendly/helpful/knowledgeable phone persona.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Technologically savvy, with especially strong spreadsheet skills (MS Excel & Google Sheets).
• High level of flexibility and resourcefulness in problem-solving.
• Ability to work a 40-hour work week on a consistent basis is required.
• Ability to understand, set, and meet objectives.
• Refined written and oral communication skills.
• Proactive, ambitious, hardworking, analytical mindset.
• Business savvy.
• Good sense of humor.