Import Specialist I

Customs Broker, Freight Forwarding & Trade Compliance Services•Elk Grove Village, IL

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Import Specialist I processes and assimilates customer data to support the movement of goods across international borders. The role serves as a customer service liaison, processes customs and Participating Government Agency (PGA) entries for U.S. clearance, coordinates shipment movement, supports compliance with government and carrier regulations, and handles related customer service and accounting processes. This is a remote position supporting the Chicago team, with a Monday through Friday schedule from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Standard Time. The role may require successful completion within twelve months of IATA Dangerous Goods, IATA Basic Export, CFR49 Dangerous Goods, CFR 15 Export Regulation, and IMDG Dangerous Goods courses. The position requires a high school diploma or GED and previous experience in customs and/or logistics. Compensation is $19.00–$24.00 per hour, depending on experience and education, with pay potentially varying by regional market compensation rates. A.N. Deringer offers health, dental, and vision plans, voluntary health and wellness benefits, generous paid time off, paid holidays, and flexibility in the work environment.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Previous experience in customs and/or logistics.
Ability to demonstrate accuracy, thoroughness, information-gathering and analysis, multitasking, and prioritization.
Ability to respond promptly and effectively to customer needs, communicate clearly, listen, and handle difficult customer situations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, address conflict constructively, work with others, and contribute to a positive team environment.
Ability to set and achieve goals, persist through obstacles, and take calculated risks to accomplish goals.
Ability to identify and resolve problems, develop alternative solutions, and participate in group problem solving.
Ability to set realistic goals and high work standards, work independently, meet deadlines, and handle large volumes of work.

Responsibilities

Serve as the customer service liaison between the company and customers.
Resolve problems such as billing and shipment tracking issues and handle customer concerns.
Build relationships with customers.
Process Customs and PGA entries for clearance of goods into the United States.
Apply knowledge of client submission requirements and clearance requirements for specific commodities.
Open files and enter notes, information, and document requests in corporate systems.
Review commercial invoices for required information.
Review documentation or issue documents to meet government and carrier regulations.
Convert and verify shipment weight, volume, and foreign currency.
Send information and document requests to company employees, suppliers, service providers, and U.S. government agencies as needed.
Communicate with offices, departments, and teams about issues affecting customs brokerage.
Ensure compliance with U.S. government regulatory agencies, including FDA, EPA, and USFWS.
Coordinate shipping details with U.S. forwarders, steamship lines, airlines, and agents.
Maintain communication with customers, carriers, and vendors.
Coordinate shipments from airlines, ocean piers, and container freight stations to customer or consignee destinations.
Coordinate pick-ups and invoice files.
Stay up to date on regulations, laws, guidelines, and Deringer requirements.
Act as a resource to internal and external clients.
Handle accounting processes accurately and in a timely manner.
Answer email and telephone calls promptly and professionally.
Handle confidential information.
Give colleagues instructions as needed and recommend improvements to processes and department or company operations.
Complete other duties as required and assigned.
May be required to complete specified dangerous-goods and export-regulation courses within twelve months.