Licensed customs broker CHI

Trystum Sourcing Specialists; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Trystum Sourcing Specialists seeks a Licensed Customs Broker to join our Chicago and Los Angeles gateways. You will own entry integrity, file ACE/ABI entries, and ensure timely clearance for air, ocean, ECCF and CFS shipments.

Requires active broker license and 5+ years of brokerage experience, with strong HTS, valuation and PGA knowledge. On-site role with direct CBP interaction and a focus on same-day clearance.

Qualifications

• Active U.S. Customs Broker License required
• 5+ years U.S. customs brokerage experience, with 2+ years as a licensed broker
• In-depth knowledge of 19 CFR, HTSUS, valuation, origin rules, and Section 301/232 tariffs
• Hands-on ACE/ABI filing experience; proficiency in major brokerage platforms (CargoWise, Descartes, Magaya, SmartBorder or similar)
• Express consignment (ECCF) and/or Type 86 / Section 321 e-commerce clearance experience strongly preferred
• Experience with ISF, carnets, TIB, in-bond, bonded warehouse and CFS operations
• Exposure to FDA-regulated goods (biologics, clinical trials), aerospace (AOG) or apparel/footwear classification a plus
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven facility environment with same-day clearance expectations
• Strong communication skills; ability to interface with CBP officers and enterprise clients
• CCS certification, CTPAT program experience, and Spanish or Portuguese language skills are a plus

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Licensed Customs Broker for the gateway; sign, file and release entries via ACE/ABI
• Clear ECCF/HUB and CFS cargo for air and ocean including time-critical shipments
• Review and validate HTS classification, valuation, origin and tariff treatment; audit automated output
• Prepare and file ISF, PGA entries and customs bonds
• Process ATA Carnets and TIB entries, including same-day validation
• Execute Remote Location Filing for entries at other ports
• Manage bonded warehouse and transload entries and duty/tariff deferment
• Support Importer of Record compliance solutions for e-commerce and enterprise clients
• Respond to CBP requests and notices; manage amendments, protests and liquidations
• Maintain CTPAT/19 CFR 163 compliance; prepare for CBP audits and Focused Assessments
• Collect and reconcile duties, taxes and fees; resolve billing discrepancies
• Mentor entry writers and import specialists; provide regulatory guidance to sales and operations
• Monitor tariff actions and update local SOPs

Skills

Communication skills

Deadline-driven

CBP liaison

Education

Active U.S. Customs Broker License

5+ years U.S. customs brokerage experience

2+ years as a licensed broker

Tools

ACE/ABI

CargoWise

Descartes

Magaya

SmartBorder

Job description

Licensed Customs Broker (LCB)

Locations: Chicago, IL (ORD) · Los Angeles, CA (LAX) — one opening per locationCompensation: $80,000 – $120,000 per year, DOE, plus benefitsEmployment Type: Full-time, on-siteReports To: Director of Customs Brokerage / Compliance

About the Opportunity

A privately held, CTPAT-certified international logistics company with in-house customs brokerage operations at JFK, MIA, ORD and LAX is adding Licensed Customs Brokers to its Chicago and Los Angeles gateways. The company operates its own Express Consignment Carrier Facilities (ECCF), Container Freight Stations (CFS) and bonded warehouses, clearing high volumes of global e-commerce, life-sciences/clinical-trial, AOG/ship-spares and fashion-industry shipments across air and ocean.

This is a hands-on, high-velocity brokerage environment with on-site CBP officers and CBP Agriculture Specialists, an automated HTS classification system, and direct ACE/ABI connectivity. You will own entry integrity and compliance at your gateway and act as the licensed authority of record for the local import team.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the Licensed Customs Broker for the gateway; sign, file and release formal and informal entries (Type 01, Type 11, Section 321 / Type 86) via ACE/ABI
• Clear express consignment (ECCF/HUB) and CFS cargo for air and ocean (FCL/LCL), including time-critical AOG, ship-spares and clinical-trial/biological shipments
• Review and validate HTS classification, valuation, country of origin, and duty/Section 301 tariff treatment; audit output from the automated classification system
• Prepare and file Importer Security Filings (ISF), Partner Government Agency (PGA) entries (FDA, USDA/APHIS, FWS, CPSC, FCC, etc.) and customs bonds
• Process ATA Carnets and Temporary Importation Under Bond (TIB) entries, including same-day inbound/outbound validation
• Execute Remote Location Filing (RLF) for entries at other ports
• Manage bonded warehouse and transload entries (in-bond movements, duty/tariff deferment, consolidation for export)
• Support Importer of Record (IOR) compliance solutions for e-commerce and enterprise clients
• Respond to CBP requests, CF-28/CF-29 notices, holds and exams; manage post-entry amendments, protests, prior disclosures and liquidations
• Maintain CTPAT, recordkeeping (19 CFR 163) and internal compliance standards; prepare for CBP audits and Focused Assessments
• Collect and reconcile duties, taxes and fees (DDU/DAP); resolve billing discrepancies with accounting
• Mentor entry writers and import specialists; provide classification and regulatory guidance to sales and operations
• Monitor regulatory changes (tariff actions, PGA rule changes, de minimis policy) and update local SOPs

What You Bring

• Active U.S. Customs Broker License (required)
• 5+ years of U.S. customs brokerage experience, with 2+ years as a licensed broker
• Deep working knowledge of 19 CFR, HTSUS, valuation, origin rules, Section 301/232 tariffs, and PGA requirements
• Hands-on ACE/ABI filing experience; proficiency in a major brokerage platform (CargoWise, Descartes, Magaya, SmartBorder or similar)
• Express consignment (ECCF) and/or Type 86 / Section 321 e-commerce clearance experience strongly preferred
• Experience with ISF, carnets, TIB, in-bond, bonded warehouse and CFS operations
• Exposure to FDA-regulated goods (biologics, clinical trials), aerospace (AOG) or apparel/footwear classification a plus
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven facility environment with same-day clearance expectations
• Strong communication skills; comfortable interfacing directly with CBP officers, PGA inspectors and enterprise clients
• CCS certification, CTPAT program experience, and Spanish or Portuguese language skills are a plus

Why This Role

• In-house brokerage at an owned facility — no third-party broker handoffs; you control the clearance from arrival to release
• Diverse commodity mix: e-commerce parcels, life sciences, aerospace, fashion, film/production equipment
• Direct relationships with on-site CBP and Agriculture Specialists
• Growth path into gateway compliance leadership or national brokerage management
• Competitive base salary ($80,000 – $120,000), medical/dental/vision, 401(k), PTO and paid holidays

Location Notes

• Chicago (ORD): Near the O'Hare cargo complex
• Los Angeles (LAX): Near the LAX cargo/ECCF facility; proximity to Port of LA/Long Beach for ocean CFS work

Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. Posted on behalf of a confidential client.