Import/ Export Compliance Specialist

Aston Carter•Sparta, TN

1d•$38 - $53•Onsite

About The Position

The Import/Export Compliance Specialist plays a key role in ensuring that all U.S. customs, import, export, and international trade activities comply with applicable regulations. Working within an innovative manufacturing organization focused on advanced interior and exterior lighting solutions for the automotive and electronics industries, this position supports customs compliance, trade programs, duty management initiatives, and the development of internal compliance procedures. The role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on operational efficiency and risk mitigation while contributing to cutting-edge mobility and lighting applications in a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Requirements

At least 3 years of hands-on experience in U.S. customs, import/export, or international trade compliance.
Strong knowledge and practical experience with Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification.
Solid understanding of U.S. Customs requirements, including classification, country of origin, customs valuation, and entry documentation.
Working knowledge of U.S. export control requirements and related licensing considerations.
Experience working with customs brokers and freight forwarders to support import and export operations.
Strong research and analytical skills to interpret regulations and resolve complex trade compliance questions.
Ability to interpret customs and export regulations and apply them accurately to products and transactions.
Exceptional attention to detail and disciplined documentation practices.
Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and take ownership of compliance initiatives.
Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams such as logistics, purchasing, finance, customer service, and sales.
Experience with trade compliance, import compliance, export compliance, and customs compliance.
Familiarity with international trade law and regulatory compliance frameworks.
Experience with customs brokerage processes and interactions.
Ability to support audit activities and respond to regulatory inquiries.

Nice To Haves

Experience in automotive, electronics, or other manufacturing environments.
Experience with duty drawback programs and identifying duty recovery opportunities.
Experience with tariff mitigation and duty reduction strategies.
Experience with USMCA and other preferential trade and free trade programs.
Experience with ACE and customs broker entry systems.
Experience responding to CBP inquiries and managing follow-up documentation.
Experience working with ERP systems and product master data, including platforms such as SAP or Oracle.
Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) certification or similar trade compliance credential.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Business, Logistics, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will also be considered.
Experience with trade management tools and processes.
Manufacturing and automotive industry experience that supports understanding of product flows and supply chains.

Responsibilities

Classify imported automotive lighting products, components, raw materials, and other items under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).
Research HTS classifications and maintain accurate and complete supporting documentation.
Review and validate classifications provided by suppliers, customs brokers, and other third parties to ensure accuracy and compliance.
Determine and maintain accurate country-of-origin information for all relevant products.
Review customs entries, commercial invoices, valuations, and other import documentation for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Manage relationships with customs brokers and freight forwarders to support timely and compliant import and export operations.
Research and resolve customs entry issues, classification questions, and inquiries from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Monitor changes in tariffs, HTS provisions, trade remedies, and other regulations that may impact trade activities, identifying opportunities to reduce duties and improve landed costs while maintaining compliance.
Support customs audits and maintain documentation necessary to demonstrate ongoing compliance with customs and trade regulations.
Support the organization’s export compliance program for products shipped internationally.
Review export documentation and assist in determining when export licenses or other export control requirements may apply.
Collaborate with Sales, Customer Service, Logistics, and customers to resolve export compliance issues and ensure smooth international shipments.
Develop a working understanding of duty drawback and identify opportunities where the organization may benefit from available programs.
Evaluate opportunities for duty reduction, tariff mitigation, preferential trade programs, and other legitimate cost-saving strategies.
Support USMCA and other applicable free trade and preferential trade programs, ensuring proper documentation and eligibility.
Monitor duty exposure and communicate significant changes, risks, or cost-saving opportunities to leadership.
Assist Finance and Logistics teams in understanding the financial impact of tariffs, trade regulations, and duty management initiatives.
Establish and maintain written trade compliance procedures and work instructions to guide internal practices.
Maintain accurate classification and country-of-origin master data within relevant systems.
Conduct periodic reviews of product classifications and trade transactions to identify and address potential compliance issues.
Develop and implement internal controls to reduce customs and export compliance risk across the organization.
Provide training and guidance to employees involved in purchasing, logistics, sales, and international transactions on trade compliance requirements.
Stay current on changes to U.S. customs and export regulations and communicate relevant updates throughout the organization.
Identify compliance risks and recommend practical corrective actions to strengthen the trade compliance program.