Trade Compliance Specialist

Aston Carter; United States; Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Trade Compliance Specialist in Lake Forest, CA, to support import and compliance programs. The role involves HTS classification, origin determinations, and USMCA qualification analysis, with collaboration across suppliers, brokers, and leadership.

The contract position emphasizes data validation, audit readiness, and maintenance of compliance records, with hybrid work and potential transition to direct hire for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• 2+ years in trade compliance, customs operations, or related field.
• Knowledge of HTS classification, origin rules, tariffs, and recordkeeping.
• Experience with import documentation and customs compliance.
• Ability to interpret tariff databases and support decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Perform HTS classification reviews and determine country of origin.
• Conduct ADD/CVD reviews and maintain documentation.
• Analyze BOMs, manufacturing details, supplier certifications for classification/origin.
• Communicate with suppliers for information on classification, origin, USMCA.
• Review customs entry data for accuracy and support post-entry audits.
• Maintain and report trade compliance records per regulations.
• Support audit readiness and track corrective actions.
• Research trade compliance issues and provide practical recommendations.
• Escalate complex issues to higher-level staff.
• Add new SKUs to ERP and classify per HTS/origin requirements.
• Assess tariff derivatives and potential impacts.
• Assign country of origin for SKUs and maintain data in systems.
• Identify opportunities for tariff mitigation based on sourcing/agreements.
• Manage incoming ocean/air shipments from a compliance perspective.
• Collaborate with logistics to meet import documentation requirements.

Skills

HTS classification

Origin determinations

Communication with suppliers

Data validation

Excel proficiency

ERP/MRP systems

Attention to detail

Audit readiness

Problem solving

Tariff/USMCA knowledge

Tools

QAD

SAP

Job description

Job Title: Trade Compliance Specialist

Job Description

The Trade Compliance Specialist supports the import and trade compliance program by ensuring accurate product classification, country of origin determinations, supplier outreach, data validation, and trade agreement reviews. This role collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, suppliers, customs brokers, and trade compliance leadership to support accurate customs declarations, tariff application, USMCA qualification analysis, and maintenance of trade compliance records, escalating complex or high‑risk matters to Sr trade compliance staff when needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform HTS classification reviews for products and determine accurate country of origin for all relevant items.
• Conduct steel and antidumping/countervailing duty (ADD/CVD) reviews and maintain supporting databases and documentation.
• Obtain and analyze product specifications, bills of materials (BOMs), manufacturing details, and supplier certifications to support classification and origin determinations.
• Communicate directly with suppliers to obtain information needed for product classification, country of origin, USMCA qualification, and other trade compliance requirements.
• Review customs entry data for accuracy and completeness and support post‑entry audit activities as needed.
• Maintain trade compliance records and reporting in accordance with applicable regulations and internal policies.
• Support audit readiness efforts and track corrective actions to ensure timely and effective resolution of compliance issues.
• Research trade compliance issues and provide clear, practical recommendations to internal stakeholders.
• Escalate complex classification, valuation, origin, or trade remedy issues to the Trade Compliance Analyst or trade compliance leadership.
• Add new SKUs to the ERP system and classify any new SKU requests in alignment with HTS and country of origin requirements.
• Check for any tariff derivatives and assess potential tariff impacts on imported products.
• Assign country of origin for new and existing SKUs and maintain accurate origin data within relevant systems.
• Identify and support potential opportunities for tariff mitigation based on product design, sourcing, and trade agreements.
• Manage incoming ocean and air shipments from a trade compliance perspective, ensuring proper documentation and customs compliance.
• Collaborate with logistics and other internal teams to ensure import documentation and customs compliance requirements are met.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience in trade compliance, customs operations, import/export compliance, logistics, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of U.S. Customs regulations, including HTS classification, country of origin rules, tariffs, valuation, and recordkeeping requirements.
• Hands‑on experience with trade compliance activities such as import documentation, import compliance, and customs compliance.
• Ability to conduct detailed product classification and country of origin determinations using technical product information.
• Strong attention to detail with effective documentation and organizational skills to manage multiple SKUs, records, and audits.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including sorting, filtering, lookups, and basic data reconciliation.
• Experience working with ERP or MRP systems to manage SKUs, trade data, and import/export information.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with suppliers, customs brokers, and internal stakeholders regarding compliance requirements.
• Capability to research trade compliance issues and interpret customs law and tariff databases to support decision‑making.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional trade compliance certifications such as CCS, CES, or equivalent training are preferred.
• Familiarity with QAD and/or SAP is preferred, though experience with other ERP/MRP systems is also valuable.
• Experience working with tariff databases and customs law references to support HTS and duty determinations.
• Experience in logistics and import/export operations, particularly related to ocean and air shipments.
• Ability to support USMCA qualification analysis and other trade agreement reviews.
• Comfort working in a fast‑paced environment where priorities may shift and workload can be high due to team capacity.
• Strong analytical skills and problem‑solving abilities to identify compliance risks and recommend mitigation strategies.

Work Environment

This is a contract role expected to last at least 4 months, with a realistic duration of approximately 6 months and potential to transition to a direct hire position for the right candidate. The role follows a hybrid work schedule, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with on‑site work typically required Tuesday through Thursday and work from home on Monday and Friday; there is some flexibility in this arrangement for the right individual. The position is based at a major corporate and product management hub supporting residential lock and smart home security brands, with a primarily corporate office environment and minimal on‑site manufacturing activity. The team is currently short‑staffed and unable to keep up with workload, so the successful candidate will step into a busy, high‑impact role with the opportunity to demonstrate value and potentially move into a direct hire position.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Lake Forest, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $47.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Lake Forest,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world‑class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry‑leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.