Customs Manager

PTY; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd is seeking an experienced Customs Manager to lead national Customs operations in Johannesburg. The role focuses on regulatory compliance, tariff classification, rebates, refunds, and cross-border activities across a dynamic logistics environment.

You will manage Deferments, liquidations, and SARS interactions while driving process improvements, BI reporting, and stakeholder engagement with clients and regulators.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Customs and Excise, International Trade, or Supply Chain Management.
• Minimum 8-10 years' senior Customs experience, including supervisory roles.
• Hands-on Customs expertise (tariffing, bonding, rebates, refunds, RIT/RIB, inspections).
• Advanced knowledge of SARS systems (TMS, eFiling, EDI), ShipShape, and BI reporting.
• SARS Customs Master Accreditation or equivalent (advantageous).
• Experience in a large freight forwarding, logistics or supply chain environment (advantageous).

Responsibilities

• Lead national Customs operations and ensure regulatory compliance across the business.
• Manage deferments, reconciliations, duties forecasts and VAT liabilities.
• Oversee refunds, rebates, and permit governance with monthly reporting.
• Attend SARS stops, inspections, and post-clearance audits; support rapid resolution.
• Drive digitisation, BI integrations and process improvements across Customs.
• Provide operational cover for import/export, cross-border, and transit clearances.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Education

Customs & Excise / International Trade / SCM degree

Tools

TMS

eFiling

EDI

ShipShape

BI reporting

Job description

Red Ember Recruitment (PTY) Ltd | Permanent

Customs Manager

Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 03/09/2026

We are seeking an experienced Customs Manager to lead and manage national Customs operations within a dynamic logistics and international trade environment.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring compliance with SARS Customs and Excise legislation, managing import and export operations, overseeing cross-border and transit activities, and driving operational excellence across the Customs function. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on Customs expertise and requires a strong understanding of Customs compliance, tariff classification, rebates, refunds, and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• National Deferment and Financial Governance:
• Manage all national Customs deferments and reconciliations.
• Forecast duties, VAT liabilities, and refund recoveries.
• Prepare monthly Customs financial reporting and variance commentary.

Refunds, Adjustments and Rebate/Permit Governance:

• Oversee duty refund and provisional-payment applications.
• Ensure timeous liquidations and SARS submissions.
• Own governance of permits, rebates, and bond-store operations, including:
  • Monthly reconciliations
  • Tracking and renewal of expiry dates
  • Compliance reporting
  • Supporting clients in establishing rebate/bond facilities

SARS Operational Interaction and Compliance:

• Attend to SARS stops, inspections, verifications, and documentary reviews.
• Drive rapid query resolution to minimize penalties and delays.
• Lead SARS post-clearance audits, verifications, and AEO compliance requirements.

Operational Continuity and Hands-On Support:

• Perform full import, export, cross-border road freight, and transit clearances when required (tariffing, EDI processing, refunds, bonding, RIT/RIB, etc.).
• Provide operational cover during staff absence, peak periods, or emergencies.
• Support Unitrans divisions with all Customs requirements.

RIT/RIB, Transit and Cross-Border Compliance:

• Ensure timely acquittal of all RIT/RIB movements.
• Oversee compliance with SARS bonding regulations and SADC/COMESA transit requirements.
• Monitor and govern all cross-border road freight documentation and compliance.

Tariff Library and Technical Advisory:

• Maintain an updated tariff classification library.
• Provide advanced tariff, Incoterms, regulatory and trade documentation guidance.
• Track and implement tariff amendments, rebate updates, and regulatory changes.

Systems, Digital Workflow and Process Management:

• Ensure accuracy and turnaround of all ShipShape entries.
• Drive workflow automation, digital optimization, and integration with BI dashboards and client systems.
• Identify efficiency improvements and standardize national Customs processes.

Advanced Client Advisory:

• Conduct client reviews on tariff rulings, rebates, refunds, and regulatory impacts.
• Support tender inputs and new business proposals with customs expertise.
• Guide clients on AEO readiness and cross-border compliance.

Leadership, Performance and Talent Management:

• Supervise, mentor, and appraise customs staff performance.
• Manage KPIs and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning and identify high-potential internal talent.

Training and Development:

• Facilitate SARS, Incoterms, and industry updates.
• Promote continuous technical development and compliance awareness across branches.

Stakeholder Interface:

• The role actively engages with:
• SARS Customs and Excise (operational, audit, and compliance teams)
• Regulatory bodies (ITAC, NRCS, SADC/COMESA)
• Clients (operational, finance, procurement, supply chain)
• Internal stakeholders:
  • Operations
  • Finance
  • Sales and Commercial
  • Divisional management
  • Risk and Compliance
  • IT/Systems

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience:

• Tertiary qualification in Customs and Excise, International Trade, or Supply Chain Management.
• Minimum 8-10 years' senior Customs experience, including supervisory or management roles.
• Strong hands-on Customs expertise (tariffing, bonding, rebates, refunds, RIT/RIB, inspections, cross-border).
• Advanced knowledge of SARS systems (TMS, eFiling, EDI), ShipShape, and BI reporting.
• SARS Customs Master Accreditation or equivalent (advantageous).
• Experience in a large freight forwarding, logistics or supply chain environment (advantageous).