Customs Specialist
About the position
C.H. Robinson is looking for a Customs Specialist who will play a critical role in protecting compliance, minimizing risk, and ensuring the seamless movement of customer shipments through the customs clearance process. In this role, you will serve as a trusted customs expert, managing complex exceptions, government agency examinations, and high-impact shipment issues while delivering exceptional service and operational excellence. You will leverage your regulatory expertise and problem-solving skills to support accurate customs clearance, drive continuous improvement, and help optimize automated customs operations. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment where your expertise directly impacts customers and business performance, we encourage you to apply. At C.H. Robinson, we’re firm believers in the power of in-person collaboration to fuel innovation and propel success. In this role, you will engage with peers on-site three days a week, igniting creativity and driving impactful results. With the flexibility for remote work two days a week, this role strikes the perfect balance between teamwork and autonomy.
Responsibilities
- Review and validate customs entry data to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely cargo clearance
- Resolve complex customs exceptions, including documentation gaps, classification issues, valuation discrepancies, and regulatory concerns
- Manage government agency holds and customs examinations, including CBP, FDA, CPSC, VACIS, CET, and Tailgate inspections
- Serve as a trusted customs compliance expert, interpreting regulations and applying them across daily operations and automated processes
- Prioritize critical shipment issues to prevent delays and maintain exceptional service for customers
- Partner with customs brokers, transportation providers, and internal teams to ensure seamless import clearance and delivery
- Own and maintain customer-specific SOPs, HTS databases, and compliance requirements to support operational excellence
- Investigate and resolve cargo damage claims, insurance matters, demurrage, detention disputes, and other high-impact shipment issues
- Conduct quality reviews of customs entries and automated decisions to ensure compliance, accuracy, and process effectiveness
- Drive continuous improvement by identifying workflow enhancements, supporting automation initiatives, and helping optimize customs operations and exception management
Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Minimum 2-3 years of entry-writing experience, international transportation or experience with AI Agents
- Must comply with 19 CFR 111.53(e) requirements, including eligibility to work in a Customs Brokerage role.
- Candidates must be able to pass an initial and annual background check, as employment in this department requires written approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for individuals with felony convictions, unless prohibited by applicable state or local law.
Nice-to-haves
- Associate or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in related field
- Experience supporting automation-enabled workflows or BPO-integrated operations
- Familiarity with customs exams, government agency holds, or dangerous goods processes
- Knowledge of ABI, AMS queries, or entry summary components
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite of programs
- Prior experience in customer-facing operational support or escalation management
- Knowledge of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and the supply chain
- Excellent communication, prioritization, and multi-tasking skills
- Excellent customer service skills and follow up to be utilized with customers and the network
- Proven track record of dealing with customers and being client focused
- Critical-thinking, flexibility, and problem-solving skills to adapt to ever-changing tasks and customer needs
- Reputation for logical, methodical and expedient approach to problem resolution
- High level of attention to detail
- Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven office environment
- Values a diverse and inclusive work environment
Benefits
- Three medical plans which include Prescription drug coverage
- Enhanced Fertility benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Savings Account (including employer contribution)
- Dental and Vision
- Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Paid observed holidays
- 2 paid floating holidays for U.S. hourly employees
- Flexible Time Off (FTO) offered to U.S. salaried employees — no accruals and no caps. Paid Time Off (PTO) offered to all other employees in the U.S. and Canada
- Paid parental leave
- Paid time off to volunteer in your community
- Charitable Giving Match Program
- 401(k) with 6% company matching
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Plus a broad range of career development, networking, and team-building opportunities
