Import Specialist

Russell Tobin; Zuid-Holland; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Tobin is seeking an Import Employee to coordinate import shipments from ETA to final delivery and invoicing in the Netherlands. You will act as the central contact for customers, agencies, and partners, ensuring timely updates and compliant processes.

The role requires 2–5 years in import forwarding, familiarity with FCL/LCL, and solid knowledge of customs, incoterms, and logistics chains. Dutch and English skills are essential for daily operations.

Qualifications

• At least 2–5 years of experience in import forwarding.
• Experience with FCL/LCL processes.
• Basic knowledge of customs and import documentation.
• Familiar with incoterms and logistics chains.
• Stress-resistant and solution-oriented.
• Proactive and customer-oriented.
• Accurate and detail-oriented.
• Good command of Dutch and English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate import shipments (FCL/LCL) from ETA to final delivery and invoicing.
• Accept and process pre-alerts from agents and partners.
• Plan onward transport (truck, rail or barge).
• Monitor arrivals, exemptions and turnaround times.
• Act as first contact for customers and provide proactive updates.
• Coordinate with agents, shipping lines, terminals and customs.
• Check costs and prepare invoices; monitor margins and disputes with finance.

Skills

Import forwarding

Customer service

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Tools

Incoterms

Logistics systems

Job description

As an Import Employee, you are responsible for coordinating and handling import shipments from arrival to delivery and invoicing. You ensure an efficient, compliant and customer-oriented process and are the central point of contact for all parties involved.

Key responsibilities

1. Operational handling

• Coordinating import shipments (FCL/LCL) from arrival (ETA) to final delivery
• Accepting and processing pre-alerts from agents and partners
• Planning and organizing onward transport (truck, rail or barge)
• Monitoring arrivals, exemptions and turnaround times
• Identifying and resolving operational bottlenecks

2. Documentation & customs

• Checking import documentation such as:
  • Bill of Lading / Sea Waybill
• Coordinate with customs department for customs clearances
• Ensure shipments comply with all laws and regulations
• Identifying and correcting document deviations

3. Customer and relationship management

• First point of contact for customers regarding import shipments
• Proactively inform about arrivals, delays and details
• Maintaining contacts with:
  • International Agents
  • Shipping companies and terminals
• Building lasting customer relationships
• Handling delays, hold-ups and exemption issues
• Proactively providing solutions in the event of disruptions
• Escalating complex files where necessary
• Providing customer-oriented solutions under time pressure
• Checking incoming costs (including freight, local charges, demurrage/detention)
• Correct and timely preparation of invoices to customers
• Monitoring margins and signaling deviations
• Coordinating with finance in disputes

6. Cooperation & process

• Working closely with export, sales and customs
• Ensuring a smooth transfer of files
• Actively thinking about process improvements and efficiencyContributing to a stable and reliable operation

Job requirements

Experience & knowledge

• At least 2–5 years of experience in import forwarding
• Experience with FCL/LCL processes
• Basic knowledge of customs and import documentation
• Familiar with incoterms and logistics chains

• Stress-resistant and solution-oriented
• Proactive and customer-oriented
• Accurate and detail-oriented

Languages & Systems

• Good command of Dutch and English

No sponsorship support

Candidate must be in Netherlands and Dutch Speaking