Custom Clearance Section Head

Seara International; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Seara International in Jeddah is seeking a seasoned Customs Clearance Section Head to oversee end-to-end import and export clearance for raw materials, packaging, equipment, and finished goods in a frozen food environment.

You will ensure regulatory compliance with SFDA, customs rules, and cold-chain standards, and lead a clearance team to prevent shipment holds and minimize demurrage and detention costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or diploma in logistics, SCM, international trade or a related field.
• 10+ years in customs clearance ops with at least 5 years in supervision.
• Experience in FMCG, food manufacturing or perishable goods.
• Proficient with customs portals and HS codes; strong regulatory knowledge.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee import/export documentation, e.g., bills of lading, invoices, packing lists, origin certificates, halal and health certificates.
• Submit and track customs declarations via official portals and regional equivalents.
• Ensure correct HS classification and tariff application for food ingredients and equipment.
• Coordinate with SFDA, FDA, and other authorities to obtain permits and clearances.
• Manage cold-chain clearance, inspections and lab testing where applicable.
• Lead internal clerks and brokers, monitor KPIs and report clearance timelines and costs.
• Resolve delays, minimize demurrage, and optimize port release processes.

Skills

Customs clearance operations

Regulatory compliance

Team supervision

Port logistics

Documentation management

HS codes knowledge

Vendor management

Bilingual English/Arabic

Education

Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Logistics/SCM/International Trade

Relevant certifications (preferred)

Tools

Customs submission portals

Customs clearance software

Job description

The Customs Clearance Section Head oversees end-to-end import and export clearance operations for raw materials, packaging, equipment, and finished goods within a frozen food manufacturing environment.

This role ensures strict regulatory compliance with SFDA, customs regulations, and cold-chain standards.

The primary goal is to prevent shipment holds, avoid cold-chain integrity loss, and minimize demurrage and detention fees.

Key Responsibilities

Customs Documentation & Clearance Operations

• Supervise and prepare all import/export shipping documentation (Bills of Lading, Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Certificates of Origin, Halal Certificates, and Health/Phytosanitary Certificates).
• Submit, monitor, and track customs declarations via government and customs portals (e.g., FASAH, SABER, Bayan, or regional equivalents).
• Ensure correct Harmonized System (HS) code classification and tariff application for raw food ingredients, frozen meat/poultry, dairy, and processing machinery.

Regulatory & Food Safety Compliance

• Coordinate with local food and drug regulatory authorities (e.g., SFDA, FDA) to obtain import permits, clearance approvals, and lab testing releases.
• Facilitate physical inspections, port sampling, and laboratory testing protocols for perishable and temperature-sensitive goods.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of national trade laws, food import restrictions, labelling standards, and shelf-life requirements.

Cold Chain & Port Logistics Supervision

• Prioritize priority release for reefer (refrigerated) containers to preserve cold-chain continuity and prevent product spoilage.
• Monitor reefer container plugged-in statuses and plug-in charges at ports and clearance zones.
• Liaise with customs brokers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, port authorities, and transport providers to expedite container release.
• Proactively resolve holds, documentation discrepancies, and inspection delays to mitigate demurrage, storage, and detention penalties.

Brokerage & Team Management

• Direct and evaluate third-party customs clearing agents and brokers to ensure compliance with company KPIs and clearance turnaround times.
• Manage internal documentation clerks and clearance staff, assigning daily operational priorities.
• Maintain complete audit-ready clearance archives and submit periodic reports on clearance timelines, duty expenditures, and port charges.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Average Clearance Lead Time: Turnaround time for reefer container release from port arrival.
• Demurrage & Detention Cost Reduction: Elimination or minimization of avoidable port storage and reefer charges.
• Compliance Accuracy: Zero penalties or fines due to incorrect HS codes, missing permits, or documentation errors.
• Cold-Chain Continuity: Zero inventory losses caused by customs clearance delays.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or a related field.
• Experience: +10 years of experience in customs clearance operations, with at +5 years in a supervisory capacity within the FMCG, food manufacturing, or perishable goods sector.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in customs submission portals and customs clearance software.
• In-depth understanding of food safety import regulations, health certificates, and cold-chain clearance logistics.
• Strong knowledge of HS codes, duty exemptions, Incoterms, and customs audit requirements.

Licensing: A valid Customs Broker license/certification is highly preferred.

Languages: Bilingual proficiency in English & Arabic