Customs Specialist

Kuehne Nagel; Bensenville (IL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel is seeking a Customs Specialist to optimize logistics and ensure smooth global supply chains. You will coordinate ISF and customs clearance, manage end-to-end file handling, and maintain clear communication with customers and partners.

The role requires 4+ years in customs clearance and customer service, proficiency with CargoWise, and solid knowledge of regulations and geography to support compliant, efficient shipments.

Qualifications

• Experience in customs clearance and customer service is required.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and geography is essential.
• Familiarity with INCO terms and tariff schedules is preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and related applications is expected.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with customers, freight forwarders, and other departments to coordinate ISF and customs clearance.
• Manage the file from shipment initiation to completion of services and payments.
• Maintain proactive communication with all parties and keep customers informed.
• Review and resolve documents and discrepancies to ensure accuracy.
• Update system notes and milestones for each file.
• Monitor compliance with domestic and international shipping regulations.
• Collaborate with overseas offices to deliver high levels of service.

Skills

Customs clearance

Customer service

Geography knowledge

Regulatory knowledge

MS Office

INCO terms

Tariff schedule

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

It's more than a job As a Customs Specialist at Kuehne+Nagel, your job is to optimise logistics to keep our global supply chains running smoothly. But the impact of your work goes beyond that. In fact, your expertise makes both special and ordinary moments possible for people around the world. For example, your work could ensure that a global product launch happens on time—such as ethically sourced beauty and bath products stocked at local stores for your loved one's valued self-care routine. It's import and export work, but it's also so much more than we imagine.

It's more than a job As a Customs Specialist at Kuehne+Nagel, your job is to optimise logistics to keep our global supply chains running smoothly. But the impact of your work goes beyond that. In fact, your expertise makes both special and ordinary moments possible for people around the world. For example, your work could ensure that a global product launch happens on time—such as ethically sourced beauty and bath products stocked at local stores for your loved one's valued self-care routine. It's import and export work, but it's also so much more than we imagine.

You as Customs Specialist will communicate with customers, freight forwarders, and other departments to obtain necessary information to coordinate ISF and Customs Clearance and deliver shipments. The responsibility includes all aspects of handling a file from starting the shipment to completing all agreed services. A great deal involves managing communication with all parties involved and keeping the customer informed

How you create impact

• Perform audit review on all assigned brokerage files and payments to customs
• Process documents through the Company’s ABI system, obtaining Customs release and other government agency releases as appropriate. Arrange both delivery and the invoicing of the import account for services rendered
• Review and monitor all Customs rejections, requests for information for clients and any other government agency, and other correspondence
• Maintain and keep current all customs compliance documentation by adhering to all domestic and international shipping regulations
• Ensure daily correspondence with overseas offices and work closely with other departments to deliver high level of service to customers
• Daily follow up on documentation discrepancy issues which requires the ability to troubleshoot and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with customers and foreign origins
• Document review and assessment of accuracy, verifying country of origin/export, IOR, terms of sale and value to ensure that compliance and federal regulation requirements are achieved.
• Update notes and milestones in system for each file.

What we would like you to bring

• High School diploma or equivalent
• 4+ years' experience in Customs Clearance and Customer service
• Working knowledge of Cargo Wise
• Knowledge of domestic and international geography including countries, major cities and ocean ports along with knowledge of U.S. Regulatory Laws
• Basic knowledge of INCO terms, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Customs regulations and other government agency requirements
• Proficent in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) and other relevant application

What's in it for you

At Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to inspire, empower, and deliver not only to our customers, but also to our colleagues. We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility. The hourly wage range for this position is between $26.44 and $28.85. Base wage is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data.

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific process [e.g., screening applications, interview scheduling]. These tools analyze information to support decision-making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.”

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life‑saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.

Kuehne+Nagel is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation. Kuehne+Nagel strictly prohibits all discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed or belief, physical or mental disability, marital or familial status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, citizenship status, protected activity (such as opposition to or reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment. Kuehne+Nagel will also make reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees, including accommodations for pregnancy and childbirth, and for the sincerely held religious beliefs of applicants and employees depending upon individual circumstances unless such accommodation would create an undue hardship on Kuehne+Nagel.