Import-Export Specialist

Working Schedule

• Import-Export Specialists' hours and work environments can vary. They may work for customs or brokerage agencies or run their own business and work independently. 
• Those who work in customs buildings and brokerage agencies will likely work 40-hour weeks. Evening and weekend work may be needed to negotiate trades. Those who are self-employed will have a more flexible schedule. Travel may be required for some jobs. 

Typical Duties

• Prepare import/export documentation so that it complies with customs laws and regulations
• Make sure goods clear customs and make it safely to their destination
• Calculate duties and taxes owed on shipments
• Pay any shipping duties and taxes
• Classify goods by the tariff coding system
• Stay updated on import and export regulations and laws
• Use power of attorney to sign documents on the client's behalf
• Obtain bonds for imported products
• Arrange transportation, storage, and distribution of products
• Monitor the goods while in transit
• Apply for duty drawbacks or any other applicable refunds
• Purchase insurance on goods in case of loss or damage

Additional Responsibilities

• Advise clients on shipping options and transportation routes
• Suggest the best labeling and packaging products and methods
• Help coordinate the clearance of goods through customs
• Maintain relationships with other Import-Export Specialists and Customs Brokers

Soft Skills

• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Instructing
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Monitoring
• Negotiation
• Problem Solving
• Speaking
• Time Management
• Writing

Technical Skills

• Compliance software (ASYCUDA)
• Database user interface and query software (ACE, Microsoft Access)
• Electronic mail software (Microsoft Outlook)
• Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software (SAP software)
• Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software (MRP software)
• Office suite software (Microsoft Office)
• OCR or scanning software 
• Project Management software (SAP customs management)

• Airlines
• Banks
• Customs and Border Protection
• Freight Operations
• Oil Companies
• Shipping Firms
• Trading Companies
• Warehouse Firms

Import Export Specialists work with companies all over the globe. They have the opportunity to travel both within and outside of the country. A lot of their work is done by computer and phone. 

 On the other hand, this is a busy job that can get stressful. Trade restrictions are something that an Import Export Specialist deals with frequently. Also, since they deal with international clients, an Import Export Specialist is often on call during evenings, holidays, and weekends.

The job growth for Import Export Specialists in the coming years is good. There is an average of 141,900 annual job openings in this career, which is growing at a rate of 5.6 percent each year. Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, and Seattle are all trading hotspots and excellent places to find employment as an Import Export Specialist. 

 Entry-level job positions are relatively easy to come by in this career, even without work experience. However, Import Export Specialists have the best chance at job advancement if they have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration. Fluency in at least one foreign language is also a plus.

Import Export Specialists are good at crunching numbers and solving problems. So, they have probably always been good at math, maybe even Mathlete. They likely enjoy working and solving puzzles and are good at Chess and other strategic games. 

 Since Import Export Specialists work with many international clients, they must also be fluent in English communications. So they were most likely an exceptional English student as well. Speaking a foreign language is also beneficial to this job, so they probably took a foreign language course in high school or college and have always been interested in other cultures and traveling abroad.