Customs Specialist

chrobinson; Laredo (TX); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

C.H. Robinson is seeking a Customs Specialist to protect compliance, minimize risk, and ensure smooth clearance of shipments through customs. You will manage complex exceptions, government examinations, and high-impact issues, delivering service and operational excellence.

On-site 5 days a week during training, then 2 days in the office with the rest from home. Schedule runs Saturday through Wednesday, 8:00–5:00 on Sat/Sun and 9:00–18:00 Mon–Wed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal).
• Minimum 2–3 years of entry-writing experience.
• Experience with international transportation or AI Agents.

Responsibilities

• Review and validate customs entry data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely cargo clearance.
• Resolve complex customs exceptions, including documentation gaps, classification issues, valuation discrepancies, and regulatory concerns.
• Manage government agency holds and customs examinations, including CBP, FDA, CPSC, VACIS, CET, and Tailgate inspections.
• Serve as a trusted customs compliance expert, interpreting regulations and applying them across daily operations and automated processes.
• Prioritize critical shipment issues to prevent delays and maintain exceptional service for customers.
• Partner with customs brokers, transportation providers, and internal teams to ensure seamless import clearance and delivery.
• Own and maintain customer-specific SOPs, HTS databases, and compliance requirements to support operational excellence.
• Investigate and resolve cargo damage claims, insurance matters, demurrage, detention disputes, and other high-impact shipment issues.
• Conduct quality reviews of customs entries and automated decisions to ensure compliance, accuracy, and process effectiveness.
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying workflow enhancements, supporting automation initiatives, and helping optimize customs operations and exception management.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Attention to detail

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate or bachelor's degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

C.H. Robinson is looking for a Customs Specialist who will play a critical role in protecting compliance, minimizing risk, and ensuring the seamless movement of customer shipments through the customs clearance process. In this role, you will serve as a trusted customs expert, managing complex exceptions, government agency examinations, and high-impact shipment issues while delivering exceptional service and operational excellence. You will leverage your regulatory expertise and problem-solving skills to support accurate customs clearance, drive continuous improvement, and help optimize automated customs operations. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your expertise directly impacts customers and business performance.

At C.H. Robinson, we're firm believers in the power of in-person collaboration to fuel innovation and support training. In this role, you will engage with peers on-site 5 days a week, igniting creativity and driving impactful results. Upon successful completion of your training, you will then switch to 2 days a week in the office, working the rest of the time from home. This role strikes the perfect balance between teamwork and autonomy.

This position follows a Saturday through Wednesday schedule. Work hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Candidates must be available to work this schedule consistently.

Responsibilities:

• Review and validate customs entry data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely cargo clearance
• Resolve complex customs exceptions, including documentation gaps, classification issues, valuation discrepancies, and regulatory concerns
• Manage government agency holds and customs examinations, including CBP, FDA, CPSC, VACIS, CET, and Tailgate inspections
• Serve as a trusted customs compliance expert, interpreting regulations and applying them across daily operations and automated processes
• Prioritize critical shipment issues to prevent delays and maintain exceptional service for customers
• Partner with customs brokers, transportation providers, and internal teams to ensure seamless import clearance and delivery
• Own and maintain customer-specific SOPs, HTS databases, and compliance requirements to support operational excellence
• Investigate and resolve cargo damage claims, insurance matters, demurrage, detention disputes, and other high-impact shipment issues
• Conduct quality reviews of customs entries and automated decisions to ensure compliance, accuracy, and process effectiveness
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying workflow enhancements, supporting automation initiatives, and helping optimize customs operations and exception management

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Fluent in English and Spanish (written and verbal)
• Minimum 2-3 years of entry-writing experience, international transportation or experience with AI Agents

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in related field
• Experience supporting automation-enabled workflows or BPO-integrated operations
• Familiarity with customs exams, government agency holds, or dangerous goods processes
• Knowledge of ABI, AMS queries, or entry summary components
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite of programs
• Prior experience in customer-facing operational support or escalation management
• Knowledge of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the supply chain
• Excellent communication, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills
• Excellent customer service skills and follow up to be utilized with customers and the network
• Proven track record of dealing with customers and being client focused
• Critical-thinking, flexibility, and problem-solving skills to adapt to ever-changing tasks and customer needs
• Reputation for logical, methodical and expedient approach to problem resolution
• High level of attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven office environment
• Values a diverse and inclusive work environment

Must comply with 19 CFR 111.53(e) requirements, including eligibility to work in a Customs Brokerage role. Candidates must be able to pass an initial and annual background check, as employment in this department requires written approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for individuals with felony convictions, unless prohibited by applicable state or local law.

Compensation Range

$21.76 - $34.46

The base pay range displayed on the job posting reflects the minimum and maximum base pay for this specific location. Your individual base pay within this range is determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Compensation