Customs Specialist

Rhenus Logistics•Plainfield, IN

About The Position

Administer the daily operations of the company's Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), ensuring full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations. Review customs documentation, commercial invoices, shipping documents, and entry information to ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance. Coordinate FTZ admissions, inventory transfers, exports, consumption entries, inventory adjustments, destructions, and zone-to-zone transfers. Maintain accurate FTZ inventory records and ensure compliance with CBP inventory control and audit requirements. Monitor inventory discrepancies, investigate exceptions, and implement corrective actions to maintain inventory integrity. Review import documentation to verify country of origin, importer of record, valuation, terms of sale, tariff classification, and other customs requirements. Identify documentation discrepancies, communicate directly with customers, overseas partners, customs brokers, and internal teams, and drive timely resolution. Prepare customer reports and provide regular updates regarding FTZ inventory, customs activities, and operational performance. Collaborate closely with warehouse operations, brokerage teams, and other departments to ensure efficient customs processing and customer service. Identify compliance risks, escalate unresolved issues, and recommend corrective actions to minimize operational and regulatory exposure. Support internal and external customs audits by maintaining complete, accurate, and audit-ready documentation. Monitor regulatory changes affecting FTZ operations and support continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen compliance processes. Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum 2 years of experience in customs brokerage, import/export compliance, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) operations, or international logistics.
Strong knowledge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations, Foreign Trade Zone requirements, and import/export compliance.
Experience administering FTZ inventory control systems, customs documentation, and regulatory recordkeeping.
Experience working directly with customs brokers, government agencies, and regulatory authorities.
Strong understanding of customs entry documentation, commercial invoices, country of origin, importer of record (IOR), valuation, tariff classification, and international trade documentation.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to identify compliance risks, interpret regulatory requirements, and implement practical solutions.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate professionally across all levels of the organization.
Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.

Nice To Haves

Experience with FTZ inventory management systems is considered an asset.
Experience within freight forwarding, customs brokerage, contract logistics, or international supply chain operations is preferred.
Bilingual English and Spanish or another language is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Administer the daily operations of the company's Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), ensuring full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations.
Review customs documentation, commercial invoices, shipping documents, and entry information to ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate FTZ admissions, inventory transfers, exports, consumption entries, inventory adjustments, destructions, and zone-to-zone transfers.
Maintain accurate FTZ inventory records and ensure compliance with CBP inventory control and audit requirements.
Monitor inventory discrepancies, investigate exceptions, and implement corrective actions to maintain inventory integrity.
Review import documentation to verify country of origin, importer of record, valuation, terms of sale, tariff classification, and other customs requirements.
Identify documentation discrepancies, communicate directly with customers, overseas partners, customs brokers, and internal teams, and drive timely resolution.
Prepare customer reports and provide regular updates regarding FTZ inventory, customs activities, and operational performance.
Collaborate closely with warehouse operations, brokerage teams, and other departments to ensure efficient customs processing and customer service.
Identify compliance risks, escalate unresolved issues, and recommend corrective actions to minimize operational and regulatory exposure.
Support internal and external customs audits by maintaining complete, accurate, and audit-ready documentation.
Monitor regulatory changes affecting FTZ operations and support continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen compliance processes.
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.