Air Import Operator

CEVA Logistics; Hounslow; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave scheme

Pension

Life assurance

Employee benefits platform

Job summary

CEVA Logistics is recruiting an experienced Air Import Operator for our Hounslow operations. You will manage air import shipments end-to-end, collating documents, arranging airline bookings and ensuring compliance with HMRC rules while delivering exceptional customer service.

You will work within a busy team, coordinate with carriers and internal teams, and contribute to costing, billing and accurate shipment records. This role requires UK residency and office-based work in Hounslow.

Qualifications

• Experience in air import/freight forwarding is essential.
• Proficient in import documentation and customs declarations.
• Able to book cargo with airlines and manage SOPs/quotations.

Responsibilities

• Manage air import shipments from start to finish, arrange collections, book cargo with airlines, follow customer SOPs and quotations, and prepare all required import documentation including invoices, packing lists, and consolidation papers.
• Complete accurate import customs declarations in line with HMRC regulations and maintain compliance and records.
• Monitor shipments, milestones and delays; coordinate with airlines, handling agents, transport providers, freight forwarders and internal teams; keep customers informed from collection through to departure and arrival; support costing and billing activities and ensure files and records are complete.

Skills

Air import

Freight forwarding

Import documentation

Customs declarations

Airline bookings

Customer communication

Organisational skills

Cargowise

Tools

Cargowise

Job description

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are proud to be a Top 5 global 3PL.

We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

At CEVA Logistics, we Rise in Motion. Your career is always on the move, growing as fast and as far as your ambition takes you. Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging new paths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world. The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is more than a job. It’s a journey on which you rise.

YOUR ROLE

Our operations based in Hounslow is looking for an experienced Air Import Operator to join our team and play a key role in managing air export operations from start to finish. The successful candidate will ensure all import shipments are handled efficiently, comply with regulatory standards, and deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

This is a Monday to Friday role, 09:00-18:00.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

Reporting to the Air Import Supervisor, you will manage air import shipments from start to finish, ensuring smooth, compliant and efficient operations. You will arrange collections, book cargo with airlines and follow customer SOPs and quotations, while preparing all required import documentation, commercial invoices, packing lists and consolidation documentation.

You will complete accurate import customs declarations in line with HMRC regulations and maintain high standards of compliance and record keeping. Working closely with airlines, handling agents, transport providers, freight forwarders and internal teams, you will monitor shipments, manage milestones, identify and resolve delays or operational issues, and keep customers proactively informed from collection through to departure and arrival. You will also support costing and billing activities, ensuring job files, shipment records and financial information are accurate and complete.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

To be successful in your application you will be a confident air import professional with solid experience in freight forwarding, someone who can handle import documentation, customs declarations, and airline bookings with accuracy and pace. You will thrive in a busy environment, communicate clearly with customers and partners, and stay proactive when issues arise. You will have strong organisation skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to own your shipments, operationally and financially.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO OFFER?

With a genuine culture of reward and recognition, we want our employees to grow, develop and be part of our journey. We offer a benefits package that includes competitive annual leave entitlement with a fantastic holiday buy scheme, pension and life assurance along with access to an employee benefits platform that offers discounts on money off vouchers for a diverse range of retail, travel and hospitality brands. There’s no doubt that you will be compensated for your hard work and commitment so if you’d like to work for one of the top Logistics providers in the world then . You will be IT literate able to use freight systems such as Cargowise.

Due to the nature of the role and security clearance requirements it is essential for the successful candidate to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 5 years.

ABOUT TOMORROW

That’s why we share plenty of career opportunities for you to thrive within CEVA. Join CEVA for a challenging career.