What are the responsibilities and job description for the Customs Specialist position at Expert Connections?
Our client, a Tier 1 automotive supplier, is hiring a Customs& Tariff Specialist to support international trade compliance, customs operations, and tariff management at their manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC.
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with all import/export regulations, customs requirements, and international trade laws.
- Maintain and manage HTS classifications for imported products and materials.
- Review customs documentation including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and bills of lading.
- Coordinate with customs brokers and freight forwarders to ensure efficient customs clearance.
- Monitor tariff changes, trade agreements, anti-dumping duties, and other regulatory developments impacting the business.
- Analyze tariff exposure and identify duty-saving opportunities through programs such as USMCA, duty drawback, FTZs, tariff engineering, and country-of-origin strategies.
- Support sourcing, purchasing, logistics, and finance teams with landed cost analysis and tariff forecasting.
- Manage trade agreement compliance, supplier certifications, and origin documentation.
- Resolve customs issues, shipment delays, and classification disputes.
- Conduct internal compliance audits and maintain required import/export records.
- Prepare reports on duty spend, tariff exposure, brokerage activity, compliance metrics, and cost-saving opportunities.
- Develop and maintain customs and trade compliance procedures and work instructions.
Qualifications
- 3–7 years of experience in customs compliance, international trade, import/export operations, or tariff administration.
- Strong knowledge of HTS classification, customs valuation, country-of-origin rules, tariff regulations, and international shipping documentation.
- Experience working with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and government agencies.
- Working knowledge of USMCA, CBP regulations, EAR, OFAC, and international trade compliance programs.
- Manufacturing experience required; automotive industry experience strongly preferred.
- Experience with ERP systems such as SAP preferred.
- Advanced Excel and analytical skills.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, International Business, Logistics, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred.
- Certifications such as Licensed Customs Broker (LCB), Certified Customs Specialist (CCS), or Certified Export Specialist (CES) are a plus.
- Spanish language skills are preferred but not required.
Why Join
- Opportunity to play a key role in a global automotive manufacturing environment during a period of significant trade and tariff activity.
- High visibility position working closely with leadership, supply chain, purchasing, finance, and international partners.
- Ability to directly impact cost savings, risk reduction, and sourcing strategy through trade compliance expertise.
- Exposure to international operations and cross-functional collaboration across North America and global locations.
- Stable, growing automotive supplier with long-term opportunities for professional development and advancement.