Senior Technical Specialist – US Customs Compliance & Duty Recovery

Traffic Tech Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical (Dental & Vision) insurance

Life/AD&D Insurance

Long-term Disability

401(k) matching

Training & mentorship

Job summary

Traffic Tech Inc. in Chicago seeks a Senior Technical Specialist for U.S. Customs Compliance and Duty Recovery. This role acts as a technical resource on complex customs matters, guiding clients and internal teams in compliance, duty mitigation, and recovery strategies.

You will review entries, support duty recovery initiatives, and stay informed about tariff changes and CBP requirements to deliver compliant and cost-saving solutions for our clients.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in U.S. Customs brokerage, trade compliance, or a similar technical customs role.
• Strong technical knowledge of U.S. import regulations and CBP requirements.
• Experience with HTS classification, valuation, country of origin, USMCA and other free trade agreements, and special duty programs.
• Hands-on experience with duty recovery programs (PSCs, protests, refunds, drawback) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical resource on complex U.S. Customs matters and provide guidance to clients and internal teams.
• Review customs entries and documentation for accuracy, compliance, and duty-saving opportunities.
• Lead and support duty recovery initiatives, including PSCs, protests, refunds, and drawback.
• Identify opportunities to reduce duty exposure and recover overpaid duties through data reviews.
• Develop and maintain customs compliance procedures and quality-control standards.
• Provide consultative support to clients on compliance, duty mitigation, and recovery strategies.
• Research and communicate regulatory developments and their impact to teams and clients.
• Assist with customs audits, CBP inquiries, and information requests.
• Collaborate with account managers and entry writers to ensure compliant filing practices.

Skills

U.S. customs knowledge

Analytical thinking

Clear communication

Problem solving

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

Who We Are:

When you join Traffic Tech, you join a team that keeps the global economy moving – literally.

Traffic Tech is recognized as an industry leader and the logistics partner to many highly recognizable international brands. With 30 offices throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and China, the company offers progressive & efficient solutions for moving freight by land, sea, and air.

Your Part in It:

Working out of our Chicago office, we are looking for our next Senior Technical Specialist – U.S. Customs Compliance & Duty Recovery. In this role, you will serve as a technical resource on complex U.S. Customs matters, helping ensure compliance, identify duty-saving opportunities, and support clients with customs and duty recovery initiatives. You will work closely with internal teams and clients to review customs entries, provide technical guidance, and develop effective compliance and recovery strategies.

SENIOR TECHNICAL SPECIALIST - U.S. CUSTOMS COMPLIANCE AND DUTY RECOVERT

What the Job Entails:

• Serve as a technical resource on complex U.S. Customs matters, including classification, valuation, country of origin, free trade agreements, special tariffs, and other import compliance requirements.
• Perform quality-control reviews of customs entries and supporting documentation to identify potential errors, compliance risks, and duty-saving opportunities.
• Review entry data and filing practices to ensure accuracy and compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements.
• Lead and support duty recovery initiatives, including Post Summary Corrections (PSCs), protests, refunds, drawback, and other available recovery mechanisms.
• Identify opportunities to reduce duty exposure and recover overpaid duties for clients through detailed entry and historical data reviews.
• Provide technical guidance to customs specialists, entry writers, account managers, and clients on complex customs matters.
• Research U.S. Customs regulations, rulings, tariff changes, trade remedies, and regulatory developments, and communicate their impact internally and to clients.
• Support clients with customs audits, CBP inquiries, requests for information, classification reviews, valuation matters, and other technical compliance issues.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of customs compliance procedures, technical guidance, and quality-control standards.
• Work directly with clients to provide consultative support and develop customs strategies related to compliance, duty mitigation, and recovery opportunities.

What We Are Looking For:

• Minimum 5 years of experience in U.S. Customs brokerage, trade compliance, customs consulting, or a similar technical customs role.
• Strong technical knowledge of U.S. import regulations and CBP requirements.
• Strong understanding of HTS classification, customs valuation, country of origin, USMCA and other free trade agreements, and special duty programs.
• Experience reviewing customs entries for accuracy, compliance, and duty-saving opportunities.
• Experience with Post Summary Corrections, protests, duty refunds, and other post-entry correction or recovery programs.
• Experience with drawback programs is a strong advantage.
• Mandatory hands‑on experience with CargoWise.
• Strong research, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to interpret customs regulations and rulings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex customs matters clearly to clients and internal teams.
• Licensed U.S. Customs Broker designation is an asset.

What We Offer:

• Robust industry with training and mentorship
• Full Benefit options, including Medical (Dental & Vision)
• Life/AD&D Insurance, Long-term Disability
• 401(k) matching
• Dynamic environment and ‘can-do’ culture

This is a full-time permanent position from Monday to Friday.