Customs Affairs Supervisor

3L Consulting (Pty) Ltd; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 446,000 - 502,000; Full time

Job summary

3L Consulting (Pty) Ltd in Cape Town is seeking two experienced Customs Affairs Supervisors to join our express and logistics operations. You will lead the Customs team, drive operational efficiency, and ensure compliance and high service standards across the customs function.

The role requires hands-on customs-clearing expertise, strong people leadership, and the ability to resolve queries and exceptions quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Business Management or related field.
• At least 2 years’ direct, hands-on experience in customs clearing.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a leadership role within express, courier or logistics.
• Experience engaging with SARS Customs officials to resolve queries and inspections.
• Experience with or knowledge of customs declarations, tariff classification, valuation and rules of origin.
• Experience working with customs-clearance systems or EDI.
• Valid Code 10 driver’s licence.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills.
• Ability to manage performance and drive results.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing Customs team.
• Manage employee performance and drive operational results.
• Deliver first-time-right customer solutions and maintain high service standards.
• Manage customs clearances, audits and valuations.
• Oversee temporary imports/exports, and customs refund processes.
• Liaise with SARS Customs officials, carriers, customers and stakeholders.
• Manage and resolve customs queries, stops, detentions, inspections.
• Coordinate submission of supporting information to facilitate clearance and release of shipments.
• Investigate customs-clearance exceptions and elevate complex matters to Export Manager.
• Ensure customs declarations and supporting documentation are accurate and complete.
• Monitor performance, service levels and KPIs.
• Ensure ISO compliance and SOP adherence.
• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous process improvement.
• Ensure that systems, reporting and communications function effectively.
• Identify training requirements and support team development.
• Proactively resolve operational problems before they affect customers.

Job description

Customs Affairs Supervisor

Location: Cape Town, Western Cape

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Number of Vacancies: 2

Remuneration: R40,000 - R45,000 Total Cost to Company per month

Reports To: Export Manager

About the Opportunity

Our client, a leading international organisation operating within the express and logistics industry, is seeking two experienced Customs Affairs Supervisors to join its operations team in Cape Town.

The successful candidates will be responsible for leading the Customs team and driving operational efficiency, quality, compliance, performance and service delivery across the customs function.

This role requires strong, hands-on customs-clearing experience, effective people leadership and the ability to resolve customs-related queries and operational exceptions in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing Customs team.

• Manage employee performance and drive the achievement of operational results.

• Deliver first-time-right customer solutions and maintain high service standards.

• Manage customs clearances, audits and valuations.

• Oversee temporary imports and exports, as well as customs refund processes.

• Liaise directly with SARS Customs officials, carriers, customers and other relevant stakeholders.

• Manage and resolve customs queries, stops, detentions, documentary inspections and physical inspections.

• Coordinate the accurate and timely submission of supporting information and documentation to facilitate the clearance and release of shipments.

• Investigate customs-clearance exceptions and elevate complex or high-risk matters to the Export Manager where required.

• Ensure that customs declarations and supporting documentation are accurate and complete.

• Monitor operational performance, service levels and key performance indicators.

• Ensure compliance with ISO requirements and established standard operating procedures.

• Identify and implement opportunities for continuous process improvement.

• Ensure that customs-clearance systems, reporting and communication processes function effectively.

• Identify training requirements and support the ongoing development of team members.

• Proactively identify and resolve operational problems before they affect customers or service delivery.

Minimum Requirements

• A Business Management Diploma, Degree or equivalent qualification.

• At least 2 years’ direct, hands-on experience in customs clearing.

• At least 2 years’ experience in a leadership role within the express, courier or logistics industry.

• Direct experience engaging with SARS Customs officials and resolving customs queries, stops, detentions and inspections.

• Experience with or knowledge of customs declarations, tariff classification, customs valuation and rules of origin.

• Experience working with customs-clearance systems or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

• A valid Code 10 driver’s licence.

• Strong leadership and people-management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to manage performance and drive results.

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Strong stakeholder-management and communication skills.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be an experienced, hands-on Customs Supervisor who combines strong technical customs knowledge with proven people-leadership ability.

They will understand the customs-clearing process, be confident engaging directly with SARS Customs officials and have practical experience resolving customs queries, stops, detentions and inspections.

The successful candidate will be proactive, solutions-focused and capable of maintaining high standards of compliance, operational performance and customer service in a fast-paced express or logistics environment.