Import Specialist (Customs Brokerage) - Atlanta, GA

CMA CGM•Atlanta, GA

2d•$45,000 - $60,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Import Specialist is responsible for the accurate, compliant, and timely processing of import customs brokerage transactions for an assigned group of customer accounts. The position reviews import documentation, prepares and transmits customs entries, coordinates release requirements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and participating government agencies, and communicates shipment status to internal and external customers. The successful candidate must be agile, dependable, and capable of responding to time-sensitive priorities with an appropriate sense of urgency. The position requires sound ethical judgment, attention to detail, accountability, and consistent attendance to support regulatory deadlines and customer commitments.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
One to three years of related customs brokerage, import, logistics, freight forwarding, or transportation experience preferred.
Experience reviewing commercial import documentation and performing accurate data entry.
Experience working in a deadline-driven operational environment.
Working knowledge of customs clearance processes and applicable import documentation.
Basic knowledge of U.S. customs brokerage and import clearance processes.
Ability to review shipment documentation for completeness, accuracy, and consistency.
Ability to follow laws, regulations, company policies, standard operating procedures, and customer-specific instructions.
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office, internet-based applications, and job-specific systems.
Accurate keyboarding and data-entry skills.
Ability to perform basic calculations involving currency, weight, volume, quantity, and distance.
Strong organization, prioritization, problem-solving, and escalation skills.
Ability to remain accurate and composed under time-sensitive conditions.
Sound judgment, personal integrity, dependable attendance, and a strong commitment to compliant business practices.
Ability to balance individual responsibilities with team priorities.
Must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.
Communicate clearly, professionally, and respectfully with customers, colleagues, carriers, and government agencies.
Read and interpret shipment documentation, account instructions, operating procedures, and routine regulatory communications.
Write clear shipment notes, emails, and routine business correspondence.
Communicate potential delays, missing information, compliance concerns, and customer requirements promptly.
Know when an issue requires escalation to a supervisor, team leader, or Licensed Customs Broker.
Work effectively with individuals from different functions and backgrounds.

Nice To Haves

CargoWise experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive, review, and process import documentation for assigned customer accounts, ensuring information is complete, accurate, and sufficient for customs entry processing.
Prepare and process customs brokerage transactions through the designated operating system in accordance with customer instructions, company procedures, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Review commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, arrival notices, certificates, and other supporting documents required for customs clearance.
Enter shipment, classification, valuation, country of origin, manufacturer, and other applicable data accurately into the customs brokerage system.
Obtain customs release and participating government agency release, when applicable, within established regulatory and customer deadlines.
Monitor shipments throughout the customs clearance process and identify transactions approaching critical regulatory, operational, or customer milestones.
Act with urgency when documentation is missing, a customs entry is rejected, a shipment is placed on hold, or another issue could delay clearance or delivery.
Research discrepancies and promptly escalate compliance concerns, documentation deficiencies, entry rejections, or other irregularities to the supervisor, team leader, or Licensed Customs Broker.
Coordinate with customers, carriers, internal operations teams, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other government agencies to support timely clearance and delivery.
Maintain accurate and complete electronic transaction records, including shipment notes, customer communications, supporting documents, and evidence of required follow-up.
Proactively provide customers and internal stakeholders with accurate shipment status, outstanding requirements, anticipated delays, and next steps.
Follow customer-specific instructions, standard operating procedures, account profiles, and established escalation requirements.
Support delivery coordination, cargo release, government examination activity, and customer invoicing as required by the assigned account.
Manage changing priorities and workload demands without compromising entry accuracy, regulatory compliance, or customer service.
Protect confidential customer, commercial, and shipment information and demonstrate integrity in all customs-related activities.
Maintain consistent and reliable attendance and punctuality to support customs filing deadlines, cargo availability, customer commitments, and team workload requirements.
Stay current on customs brokerage processes, applicable regulatory requirements, internal systems, and customer procedures through training, self-study, and approved learning opportunities.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned in support of the department and its customers.