Classification Specialist
- Full-time
Company Description
“We’re not in the shipping business; we’re in the information business” -Peter Rose, Expeditors Founder
Expeditors satisfies the increasingly sophisticated needs of international trade through customized solutions and seamless, integrated information systems. Our services include the consolidation and forwarding of air or ocean freight, customs brokerage, vendor consolidation, cargo insurance, time-definite transportation, order and risk management, warehousing, distribution and customized logistics solutions. Expeditors is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Global supply chain management is what we do, but at the heart of Expeditors you will find professionalism, leadership, and a friendly environment, all of which foster an innovative, customer service-based approach to logistics.
18,000 trained professionals
300+ locations worldwide
Fortune 500
Globally unified systems
At Expeditors, we recruit, train, and retain the very best logistics and technical experts the world over. We love to promote from within—more than 27 percent of our staff of 17,000 employees has been at Expeditors 10 years or more. Our high retention rate is influenced by a unique compensation program for positions that are more than just jobs—they’re chances to grow, thrive, and do what you love.
Job Description
Scope of Position: To provide superior customer service through strong working knowledge of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, General Notes, and Explanatory Notes to the Tariff with specific needs and requirements of the client. Continually seek opportunities for service enhancement and improved tactical coordination within Expeditors’ and customer’s organizations. Ensure all tasks for specified role (but are not limited to) are performed timely at the highest level of efficiency and productivity, while meeting and exceeding expectations.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Compliance
- Understand customer’s business strategy and our role with the customer
- Utilize customer’s systems/tools to classify parts for U.S. imports (but not limited to) on behalf of the customer based on product descriptions provided by the client
- Basic Understanding of the U.S. Customs Harmonized Tariff Code. This position has major emphasis to Chapters 61 and 62 for Textiles and Apparel, Chapters 42 for classification of accessories, & Chapter 64 Footwear
- Knowledge/Understanding of Canada & European Union (EU/UK) Tariff Schedules (preferred but not required)
- Identify and obtain correct description information necessary to decipher appropriate classification for parts
- Work with customer’s Production Team to provide classification advice during Line Reviews, as necessary
- Maintain effective working relationships and communication with all key contacts (locally, regionally, or internationally) as needed within the customer’s and/or Expeditors’ organizations, as well as across departments within the local district (at origin and destination) to assure efficient and effective execution of defined processes
- Continually seek improvement in procedures and services to create more efficient and cost effective operations for Expeditors and the customer
- Maintain regular communication with peers, Supervisor, Branch Account Managers, and/or Compliance Manager to gain and share knowledge of best practices and common challenges/opportunities
- Support local implementation of new initiatives
- Be dedicated to the success of Expeditors and the program using ethical business practices, personal commitment, passion and sacrifice, and an obsession with the fundamental details of running the business
- Works with Supervisor to effectively resolve delays that are outside of his/her control
- Communicate to Supervisor, Global Account Management, and/or Compliance Manager of Pre-class updates/conditions which will impact performance
Information
- Communicate effectively with the customer for question(s) regarding the interpretation of the product description(s) and its HTS code(s)
- Navigate customer’s systems to find information necessary to classify
Training
- Be available to train others as needed within various product lines that are specific to his/her role
- Mandatory 52 hours of meaningful training
Workdays are Monday through Friday
Qualifications
Experience and Education Required:
- Customs Brokerage License preferred, but not immediately required
- Customs business understanding
- Textile experience preferred but not required
- Ability to work with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel – Access a plus)
- Organizational skills, detail-oriented, multi-task, flexibility
- Research, excellent conflict resolution/creative problem-solving, and follow-up skills
- Ability to articulate clearly through written and oral presentation
- Ability to work independently and within a team environment
- Team-player
Additional Information
Additional information
***Please include a cover letter***
Expeditors offers excellent benefits:
- Paid Vacation, Holiday, Sick Time
- Expected compensation $24.00 to $36.00 per hour.
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Health Plan: Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental and Vision
- 401k Plan
- Training and Professional Development Program
- All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.