Import/Export Coordinator

Sumitomo Electric Lightwave Corp.•Raleigh, NC

About The Position

The Import Export Coordinator is responsible for ensuring compliance with U.S. government import/export regulations on international shipments. This role involves preparing and auditing all documentation for daily exports, ensuring data accuracy, and responding to inquiries from various stakeholders to facilitate smooth and compliant importations. The position also requires manual creation of international shipments, managing relationships with international third-party logistics partners, and analyzing shipping patterns to negotiate rates and services. Additionally, the coordinator will advise on trade programs, determine classifications for goods, serve as a liaison with customs authorities, and champion continuous improvement in customs processes.

Requirements

5+ years relevant work experience
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Formal international logistics training and/or certification
Strong familiarity of international and domestic trade and transportation terms and policies
Highly proficient in spoken English and written English
Technology adept including advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, etc.), Microsoft Office & Teams, ERP, etc.

Nice To Haves

HazMat certification

Responsibilities

Ensure compliance with U.S. government import/export regulations on international shipments.
Prepare and audit all documentation for daily exports, ensuring data accuracy.
Review import documentation and respond to questions from carriers, forwarders, brokers, customers, and Customer Service.
Manually create international shipments in UPS, Fedex, or DHL.
Prepare documents for, coordinate shipments to, and manage relationships with international third-party logistics partners (3PL).
Prepare commercial invoice and shipper’s letter of instruction manually for shipment requests of non-inventory items.
Audit all international invoices and entry packets for accuracy of freight, brokerage, broker accuracy, and duty charges, and approve for payment processing.
Coordinate various air, land, and ocean transportation services with brokers, freight forwarders, and carriers.
Analyze international shipping patterns and participate in team efforts to negotiate rates and services.
Advise on USMCA and all other relevant programs related to international trade, logistics, and transportation.
Determine HTS, ECCN, etc. classifications and assign appropriate codes to finished goods and raw materials.
Serve as the primary point of contact with customs authorities, leading responses to inquiries and audits in collaboration with Business Groups and Corporate Customs teams.
Submit binding ruling requests to U.S. Customs for classification of exports and imports.
Provide information to U.S. Customs in response to Requests for Information on specific imports.
Review government and transportation regulations regularly for changes and industry news.
Use HazMat certification (or secure certification) to advise on domestic and international HazMat shipping concerns.
Proactively implement corrective actions based on self-assessments and audit findings to strengthen customs processes and ensure best-in-class compliance.
Secure and manage carnets when necessary to facilitate movement of demonstration equipment between countries without the payment of duty.
Manage Temporary Import Bonds to prevent duty payment and/or Customs penalties, ensuring conditions are met and items are re-exported within the allowed period.
Process loss or damage claims relating to domestic and international shipments.
Provide quarterly reports of imports and exports to the insurance broker for premium billing.
Complete vendor performance evaluations and work to improve relationships with vendors.
Manage special projects relating to international transportation.
Assist Purchasing on projects and be familiar with Purchasing systems.
Complete other tasks as assigned.