Customs Trade Specialist

PLP; Mayfield (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Profit sharing after two years

Medical, dental & vision insurance

Wellness & EAP

FSA/HSA & life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

PLP is seeking a Customs Trade Specialist responsible for overseeing all aspects of customs compliance for imports and exports. You will ensure adherence to laws, regulations, and internal policies while collaborating with brokers and government agencies to facilitate compliant international trade operations.

You will manage classifications, origin determinations, and licensing, develop policies, and train departments on Incoterms, valuation, and compliance programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international business, supply chain management, law, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Manage import/export processes to ensure compliance with USMCA, HTS, origin determinations, ECCN, and licenses.
• Develop/update policies; train departments on Incoterms and valuation methodologies.
• Identify and manage export compliance risk; perform risk assessments and controls.
• Support qualification of products under BABA requirements.
• Provide trade data analytics to business leadership.
• Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, logistics, tax, and finance teams.
• Coordinate internal audits/readiness assessments; ensure documentation.
• Lead CBP audits and inquiries with stakeholders.
• Oversee tariff management and monitor regulatory changes.
• Work with regional/site compliance to support corrective actions.
• Assist Director of Government Affairs with meetings and legislative guidance.
• Other trade compliance-related duties as needed.

Skills

Customs compliance

Regulations knowledge

CBP regulations

Tariff management

Audit procedures

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Time management

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in international business/supply chain/law

Customs Broker License or Certification

Tools

Customs software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

As a Customs Trade Specialist, you will oversee and manage all aspects of customs compliance within the organization. You will ensure that imports and exports are conducted in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and internal policies. You will work closely with supply chain teams, brokers, and government agencies to facilitate smooth and compliant international trade operations.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage and ensure import and export processes are executed compliantly, including USMCA determinations, US and Canadian HTS classification, Country of Origin determinations, ECCN, and process for export licenses and authorizations.
• Establish and ensure written policies and procedures are current to existing processes. Provide training to various departments on Trade topics, including Incoterms, Valuation Methodology (example - ensure standard cost meets US Customs guidance on computed value)
• Identify and manage Export Compliance risk by identifying high-risk transactions, conducting risk assessments, and implementing controls for deemed exports. Stay updated on regulatory changes from agencies, including BIS and CBP.
• Manage BABA product qualification analysis and certification for the Company’s U.S. manufactured products. Support sales and product management teams in the qualification of Company products under the requirements of BABA.
• Provide Trade Data analytics to business leaders for import and export transactions.
• Cross-Functional Engagement, including collaboration with global sourcing, procurement, logistics, tax, and finance teams to ensure compliant operation of import and export trade responsibilities
• Audit and Documentation Management
• Coordinate internal self-audits and readiness assessments to ensure ongoing compliance, documentation availability, and audit preparedness.
• Overseeing proper documentation and record-keeping.
• Act as the lead liaison for CBP audits, informal and formal inquiries related to import entry compliance, working closely with management, legal counsel, operations, finance, engineering, customs brokers, and external advisors as needed.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement
• Ensure end-to-end tariff management compliance across sourcing, shipment, and customs declaration processes.
• Monitor changes in regulations, customs rulings, and case law that impact entry compliance trade areas, including tariff implementation, customs valuation, classification, and country of origin.
• Partner with regional and site-level compliance staff to monitor local adherence and support corrective actions as needed.
• Assist the Director of Government Affairs where needed, including attending meetings, and providing guidance and color to legislation on how it could or would impact the Company.
• Other trade compliance-related duties as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in international business, supply chain management, law, or a related field.
• Customs Broker License or certification (e.g., Certified Customs Specialist) is a plus.
• Experience with trade compliance programs such as CTPAT, AES, or similar.
• 2+ years of experience in customs compliance, import/export operations, or international logistics, including Valuation Methodology, Origin Determination, USHTS and ECCN Classification, Complete Auditing of Export and Import Transactions (Purchase Order to Payment).
• Strong understanding of U.S. and international customs regulations (e.g., Harmonized Tariff Schedule, Incoterms),
• CBP regulatory framework including customs valuation rules,
• Tariff management and mitigation strategies;
• US import and export laws and regulations, along with the ability to interpret regulatory information; and
• Audit procedures.
• Proficiency in customs software and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills.

Travel

• This position typically operates in an office environment, with occasional travel required to warehouses, ports, or government offices, generally less than 10%.

Schedule

• Standard office hours with flextime
• 401(k) with a company match equal to 25% of the first 8% of pre-tax dollars contributed by the employee for the first two years
• Enrollment in company profit sharing after two years
• Medical, dental & vision insurance, including free preventative care
• Wellness & Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health care flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, & life insurance
• Paid time off, paid company holidays, and vacation purchase program