Trade Compliance Specialist – Customs Brokerage

Trade Compliance Specialist – Customs Brokerage Department: Customs Brokerage Reports To: Vice President of Customs Brokerage FLSA Status: Exempt Location: Onsite in Milwaukee, WI or Itasca, IL (Remote eligibility open to candidates based in MI, TN, TX, or GA) Position Overview We are seeking a Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) with deep operational expertise to step into the role of Customs Brokerage Trade Compliance Specialist . In this role, you will act as a senior technical authority and trusted advisor to our clients, ensuring all cross-border import transactions strictly adhere to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mandates and Partner Government Agency (PGA) regulations. You will bridge frontline entry processing and high-level trade advisory—driving audit readiness, handling complex post-summary resolutions, managing duty optimization programs, and protecting clients from regulatory risk. Core Responsibilities Advanced Tariff Classification: Determine accurate Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes across diverse commodity lines, applying the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs), Explanatory Notes, and CBP rulings. PGA & Regulatory Oversight: Verify compliance across all applicable Partner Government Agencies (e.g., FDA, USDA, EPA) and ensure strict adherence to 19 CFR, valuation principles, and rules of origin. Trade Remedies & Duty Programs: Analyze and execute entries involving Antidumping and Countervailing Duties (ADD/CVD), Section 301/232 tariffs, and Free Trade Agreement (FTA) preferential claims. Post-Summary & Customs Resolution: Prepare and file Post-Summary Corrections (PSCs), formal 19 U.S.C. 1514 protests, Reconciliation entries, and manage responses to CBP Forms 28/29 and audit inquiries. Internal Auditing & Quality Control: Perform routine pre- and post-entry audits to pinpoint systemic compliance gaps, maintain broker recordkeeping compliance, and uphold operational quality metrics. Client Advisory & Liaison: Serve as the direct compliance contact for importers and regulatory authorities; deliver actionable trade intelligence, support client audits, and build tailored Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Candidate Profile & Qualifications Must-Have Qualifications Active U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) . 5+ years of hands-on experience within U.S. customs brokerage or corporate import trade compliance. Proven background in entry writing and brokerage desk operations , paired with sophisticated HTS classification skills across multi-industry commodities. Working mastery of 19 CFR , valuation methodology, origin determinations, ADD/CVD scopes, and PGA clearance pathways. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel (e.g., lookups, pivot tables, data reconciliations) for trade data analysis and entry auditing. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex regulatory requirements to non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications Proficiency with CargoWise (CW1) . Prior experience managing duty drawback, foreign-trade zones (FTZ), or formal CBP audit responses (e.g., Focused Assessments). Key Competencies for Success Analytical Rigor: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to navigate ambiguous documentation and complex supply chain scenarios. Independent Execution: Capable of prioritizing competing deadlines, managing an active desk independently, and delivering within established service level agreements (SLAs). Cross-Functional Collaboration: Comfortable working across operations, client management, and regulatory agencies to solve compliance bottlenecks proactively.

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