Customs Specialist

C.H. Robinson•Long Beach, CA

22h•$28 - $44•Hybrid

About The Position

C.H. Robinson is seeking a Customs Specialist to protect compliance, minimize risk, and ensure customer shipments move seamlessly through customs clearance. The specialist manages complex exceptions, government agency examinations, and high-impact shipment issues while delivering strong customer service and operational excellence. The role applies regulatory expertise and problem-solving skills to support accurate customs clearance, continuous improvement, and optimized automated customs operations. The position is hybrid, with on-site collaboration three days per week and remote work two days per week. The schedule is Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, and candidates must be able to work it consistently.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Minimum 2–3 years of entry-writing experience, international transportation experience, or experience with AI Agents.
Comply with 19 CFR 111.53(e) requirements, including eligibility to work in a Customs Brokerage role.
Pass initial and annual background checks; employment in this department requires written approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for individuals with felony convictions, unless prohibited by applicable state or local law.
Be available to work Wednesday through Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
Experience supporting automation-enabled workflows or BPO-integrated operations.
Familiarity with customs exams, government agency holds, or dangerous goods processes.
Knowledge of ABI, AMS queries, or entry summary components.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs.
Prior experience in customer-facing operational support or escalation management.
Knowledge of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the supply chain.
Excellent communication, prioritization, and multitasking skills.
Excellent customer service and follow-up skills with customers and the network.
A proven customer-facing and client-focused track record.
Critical-thinking, flexibility, and problem-solving skills to adapt to changing tasks and customer needs.
A logical, methodical, and expedient approach to problem resolution.
High attention to detail.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven office environment.
Values a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Responsibilities

Review and validate customs entry data for accuracy, compliance, and timely cargo clearance.
Resolve complex customs exceptions, including documentation gaps, classification issues, valuation discrepancies, and regulatory concerns.
Manage government agency holds and customs examinations, including CBP, FDA, CPSC, VACIS, CET, and Tailgate inspections.
Interpret customs regulations and apply them across daily operations and automated processes.
Prioritize critical shipment issues to prevent delays and maintain exceptional customer service.
Partner with customs brokers, transportation providers, and internal teams to support import clearance and delivery.
Own and maintain customer-specific SOPs, HTS databases, and compliance requirements.
Investigate and resolve cargo damage claims, insurance matters, demurrage, detention disputes, and other high-impact shipment issues.
Conduct quality reviews of customs entries and automated decisions for compliance, accuracy, and process effectiveness.
Identify workflow enhancements, support automation initiatives, and help optimize customs operations and exception management.

Benefits

Three medical plans, including prescription drug coverage.
Enhanced fertility benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Health Savings Account, including employer contribution.
Dental and vision insurance.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Paid observed holidays.
Two paid floating holidays for U.S. hourly employees.
Flexible Time Off for U.S. salaried employees, with no accruals or caps; PTO for other employees in the U.S. and Canada.
Paid parental leave.
Paid time off to volunteer in the community.
Charitable Giving Match Program.
401(k) with 6% company matching.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Career development, networking, and team-building opportunities.