Ocean Import Operator

Top Talent Recruit; Grays; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Talent Recruit is seeking an Ocean Import Operator for a freight forwarder in Grays, focused on Customs Clearance. You will own import shipments end-to-end, ensuring accuracy of documents and timely delivery.

You will review invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, liaise with customers, overseas agents and hauliers, and apply UK import procedures, incoterms, duty and VAT. The role suits an organised team player comfortable handling multiple shipments.

Qualifications

• 2-3 years' experience in UK import operations, freight forwarding or customs clearance.
• Solid working knowledge of the UK import process and required documents for customs clearance.
• Confident handling of import documentation and customs entries.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of import shipments from arrival to delivery, keeping files moving and up to date.
• Review commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading and other documents for accuracy.
• Identify missing/incorrect information and chase customers, overseas agents and suppliers to resolve it.
• Provide clearance instructions and required documentation to the customs manager and follow through to release.
• Understand and apply UK import procedures: commodity codes, values, incoterms, duty and VAT, and needed certificates.
• Keep customers informed with proactive updates by phone and email.
• Liaise with hauliers, ports, depots and third parties to keep delivery on track.
• Maintain accurate records in the operating system and escalate when needed.
• Support the wider import team during busy periods.

Skills

Import operations

UK import process

Documentation accuracy

Multitasking

Phone & email communication

Team collaboration

Tools

MultiFreight

Job description

Our client, a freight forwarder is looking for a Ocean Import Operator with a focus on Customs Clearance to join their office in Grays.

What you'll be doing day to day:

• Taking ownership of import shipments from arrival to delivery , keeping every file moving and up to date
• Reviewing commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading and other supporting documents for accuracy and completeness
• Identifying missing or incorrect information early and chasing customers, overseas agents and suppliers to resolve it
• Providing clearance instructions and the required documentation to our customs manager, and following through to release
• Understanding and applying the requirements of UK import procedures, including commodity codes, values, incoterms, duty and VAT, and any additional controls or certificates a commodity may need
• Keeping customers informed with clear, proactive updates by phone and email
• Liaising with hauliers, ports, depots and other third parties to keep delivery on track
• Maintaining accurate records in our operating system and flagging anything that needs escalating
• Working closely with the wider import team and supporting colleagues during busy periods and absence

What we're looking for

Essential

• Ideally at least 2-3 years' experience in UK import operations, freight forwarding or customs clearance
• Solid working knowledge of the UK import process and what is needed to get cargo cleared and delivered
• Confident understanding of import documentation and the information a customs entry requires
• Genuinely organised, with a keen eye for detail.
• Comfortable managing multiple live shipments at once and prioritising sensibly
• Confident and professional on the phone and over email, with customers and with third parties
• Friendly and collaborative, and happy working as part of a small team of five
• Able to work independently and take responsibility for your own files

Desirable

• Familiarity with freight forwarding operating system / customs software - MultiFreight
• Exposure to a range of commodity types and any associated controls - able to do a customs entry