Import Specialist

Jas-Worldwide; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

JAS Forwarding (USA), Inc. seeks an Import Specialist to process air and ocean import shipments, ensuring compliance with regulations and company procedures. You will prepare documents, track bookings, and provide proactive customer service while supporting cost forecasts and quotes.

The role requires 3+ years in imports, knowledge of ISF, and proficiency with CargoWise. Strong organizational skills and communication are essential, with office-based duties in a climate-controlled environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Imports experience (air and/or ocean) or related education/experience.
• Knowledge of imports regulations, ISF, and US customs rules.
• Experience with CargoWise (C1) preferred.
• Strong organization and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Process and handle air/ocean import shipments for customers.
• Prepare and review import documents and ensure accuracy.
• Track shipments, update customers, and provide status reports.
• Bill and cost out files, manage payables/receivables per policy.
• Support sales and management with quotes and cost forecasts.
• Maintain compliance with company procedures.

Skills

Imports experience

Air & Ocean

US customs laws

Incoterms

CargoWise (C1)

ISF knowledge

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

CargoWise (C1)

Job description

JAS is an international, non-asset-based supply chain services and solutions company. Our services include air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage, distribution, inbound logistics, truckload brokerage and other supply chain management services, including consulting, the coordination of purchase orders and customized management services.The role of the Import Specialist is to process and handle air and ocean import shipments for our customers, ensuring the highest quality standards and providing service solutions that meet or exceed our customers’ requirements. An Import Specialist must ensure compliance with laws and regulations, as well as JAS Forwarding operating procedures. Within some JAS locations, this position may also be responsible for the completion of all custom house broker transactions and other government agency regulations in a timely manner.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Prepare, review and process appropriate documents (i.e. customers classification, commercials invoices, etc.) ensuring files contain all necessary copies, are accurate and in the proper sequenceReceive and track customer bookings/shipments, update client of shipment status/delays, dispatch for delivery, collect proof of delivery (POD), cost and invoice all filesComply with all company business process guidelinesBill/Invoice each file to the respective customers paying close attention to payment terms for the responsible partyResolve and reconcile incorrect payables by working with vendors and overseas officesAssist sales, department manager(s) and colleagues in compiling quotesProvide accurate job costing forecasts ensuring all payables, receivables and accruals are set and properly managed per company rules and guidelinesProvide responsive customer serviceDispatch freight for delivery, maintain communication with trucker throughout deliveryAbility to recognize any changes in customers shipping down trends and report to ManagementAbility to be cross trained and act as a back-up for any member of the team if necessaryTo report on customer performance and identify any change in supportPromote compliance across the department/sectionAbility to work through problems, but also recognize issues that may need to be communicated/escalated to managementEnsure all timely correspondence to customersOther duties as requestedSUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:NoneQUALIFICATIONS:Minimum 3 years’ experience handling imports (air and/or ocean) or combination of education and expertise requiredExperience and knowledge regarding imports, compliance, rules and regulations preferredExcellent organizational skillsExcellent Communication skillsFlexibilityStrong computer skills including Microsoft Office suite a plusDetail oriented, able to multitask and meet deadlinesAble to work in a team and independentlyKnowledge of US customs laws, practices and proceduresEDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:High School Diploma is a plus or GED requiredExperience working in CargoWise (C1) is preferredExperience handling the full life cycle of imports (air and/or ocean) or combination of education and expertise requiredExperience and knowledge regarding import, compliance, rules and regulations preferredKnowledge of Importer Security Filing (ISF) preferredGood working knowledge of Incoterms requiredENVIRONMENT:100% performed in climate-controlled internal office environment working under normal office conditions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands and finger to feel and handle; reach with arms and hands; talk and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, and crouch; lift weight or exert a force up to a maximum of 25 pounds .ADDITIONAL:Follow the Company HR Policy, the Code of Business Conduct and department policies and procedures, including protecting confidential company information, attending work punctually and regularly, and following good safety practices in all activities.The responsibilities associated with this job will change from time to time in accordance with the Company’s business needs. More specifically, the incumbent may be required to perform additional and/or different responsibilities from those set forth above.The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job.DEFINITIONS : (if any abbreviation, the meaning needs to be inserted)Management retains discretion to add or change duties of this position at any time.JAS Forwarding (USA), Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.Where required by state law and/or city ordinance; this employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.NOTICE TO APPLICANTSJAS USA IS A CUSTOMS BROKER, GOVERNED BY FEDERAL REGULATION. FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT JAS MAY HAVE IT BROKERAGE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED IF IT “KNOWINGLY EMPLOYED, OR CONTINUES TO EMPLOY, ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY, WITHOUT WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THAT EMPLOYMENT FROM THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER.” JAS WILL PERFORM A BACKGROUND CHECK TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY AND IF SO, ABSENT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU WILL NOT BE HIRED OR WILL BE TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY.