Customs Entry Writer

Estes Forwarding Worldwide; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and holidays

401(k) plan with company match

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Short- and long-term disability plans

Life and accidental death & dismember.

Job referral bonus program

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Estes Forwarding Worldwide in Richmond, VA is seeking a Custom Entry Writer to prepare and maintain documentation for customs clearance. You will communicate with vendors, government agencies, and customers to ensure accurate, timely entries.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and 5–7 years of experience in import/export customs, with strong knowledge of CargoWise and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, and a commitment to compliance and customer service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; 5–7 years in Custom Entry Writing in import/export.
• Strong knowledge of CargoWise and Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
• Advanced knowledge of customs regulations and government agency requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret business documents.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and file customs documentation for import shipments.
• Maintain and update clearance documentation; ensure compliance.
• Respond to customer queries and coordinate with vendors and agencies.
• Monitor clearances and rejections; assist with regulatory questions.
• Follow policies and participate in ongoing training.

Skills

CargoWise

Tariff schedule

Customs regs

Reading documents

Report writing

Communication

Procedures

Problem solving

Teamwork

Background check

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

Overview

Estes Forwarding Worldwide (EFW) is a leading domestic and international freight forwarder in the United States, providing customized logistics and warehousing solutions for clients around the world and across all industries via air, ground, and ocean freight. A subsidiary of Estes Express lines with corporate located in Richmond, Virginia, EFW is uniquely backed by Estes Express Lines’ extensive line haul network providing EFW clients with a hybrid transportation network. The company has received industry awards, including Specialty Carrier of the Year and E-Commerce Delivery Carrier of the Year, and has been recognized by Global Trade Americas as a leading 3PL to watch.

We are proud to offer highly competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short- and long-term disability plans
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Job referral bonus program
• Position Pay Range: $28.00-$32.00 per hour

Responsibilities

The Custom Entry Writer is responsible for preparing, collating, and maintaining all documentation and records needed to clear goods through US customs. The Custom Entry Writer will communicate with vendors, government agencies, and provide excellent customer service to existing and potential new customers.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• Complete customs documentation to ensure accurate and timely import of shipments.
• Maintain and update customs clearance documentation. Process all entries in a compliant manner and documentation after the sales process is complete.
• Manage and assist to resolve all customer queries and ensure resolutions of all issues.
• Research and assist with regulatory questions.
• Review and monitor customs clearances and rejections.
• Prepare and file custom forms with high-level attention to detail.
• Handle customer requests for information and all other correspondence with government agencies.
• Ensure that freight paperwork is completed and approved before transportation.
• Coordinate with various departments and maintain compliance with all import operations.
• Participate in ongoing training within the Imports team.
• Maintain knowledge of all industry rules and regulations and perform all customs duties.
• Assist as a backup for other Custom Entry Writer accounts.
• Follow operational policies, standards, and procedures.
• Comply with company C-TPAT and TSA security procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The qualifications listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• General knowledge of logistics software, such as CargoWise.
• General knowledge of the harmonized tariff schedule.
• Advanced knowledge of customs regulations and all other government agency requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret general business documents.
• Ability to write routine reports and general business correspondence.
• Ability to work with peers and communicate basic concepts.
• Ability to read and interpret complex business and/or technical documents.
• Ability to write comprehensive reports and detailed business correspondence.
• Ability to work with groups of people such as other departments and communicate known concepts.
• Ability to present to a group of departments.
• Ability to solve practical problems through standardized solutions that require limited judgment.
• Ability to follow prescribed and detailed procedures to solve routine problems.
• Ability to solve problems with a variety of concrete variables through semi-standardized solutions that require some ingenuity and analysis.
• Ability to draw inferences and follow prescribed and detailed procedures to solve moderately complex problems.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, random drug and/or alcohol tests, and will be subject to a criminal history background check.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• At this time, EFW will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.
• EFW offers an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status.

SUPERVISION

Position functions with supervision and has no direct reports.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and 5-7 years of Custom Entry Writing experience in the Import/Export industry. However, a combination of experience and/or education will be taken into consideration.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

None required.

TRAVEL

None required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Typically sitting at a desk or table. Intermittently sitting, standing, walking or stooping.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Normal office situation.

EFW is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Minorities/Female/Disabled/Veteran.