Atlanta. Ga, US
Import Specialist (Customs Brokerage) - Atlanta, GA
CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are proud to be a Top 5 global 3PL.
We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.
At CEVA Logistics, we Rise in Motion. Your career is always on the move, growing as fast and as far as your ambition takes you. Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging new paths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world. The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is more than a job. It’s a journey on which you rise.
Pay Range: $45k to $60k
JOB SUMMARY
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.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
- 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.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- 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.
- CargoWise experience preferred.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
- 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.
INTERPERSONAL AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- 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.
CORE BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
Agility: Adjusts quickly to changing shipment priorities, customer requirements, regulatory responses, and operational conditions while maintaining accuracy and control.
Sense of Urgency: Takes timely action, follows up consistently, and escalates issues before they result in avoidable delays, costs, or service failures.
Ethics and Integrity: Handles customs information truthfully and responsibly and raises concerns when information appears inaccurate, incomplete, or inconsistent.
Reliability and Attendance: Reports to work consistently and on time, remains available during assigned working hours, and follows company procedures for absences and workload handoffs.
Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned transactions, follows through on commitments, and maintains complete and accurate records.
Customer Focus: Provides professional and timely service while ensuring customer requests remain consistent with regulatory and company requirements.
Quality and Accuracy: Reviews work carefully before transmission or completion. Speed is important, but never at the expense of compliance or accuracy.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is generally performed in an office or warehouse-office environment using standard office equipment. The role requires regular use of a computer, telephone, and customs brokerage systems.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this position, the employee may regularly be required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, reach, and use hands and fingers to operate standard office equipment. The employee may be required to lift up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position.
CEVA Logistics is proud to be an equal opportunity work place and an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities.
Nearest Major Market: Atlanta