Customs Compliance Specialist

Job description

Fantastic challenges. Amazing opportunities. GKN Aerospace is reimagining air travel: going further, faster and greener! Fuelled by great people whose expertise and creativity sets the standards in our industry, we’re inspired by the opportunities to innovate and break boundaries. We’re proud to play a part in protecting the world’s democracies. And we’re committed to putting sustainability at the centre of everything we do, opening up and protecting our planet. With over 16,000 employees across 32 manufacturing sites in 12 countries we serve over 90% of the world’s aircraft and engine manufacturers and achieved sales of £3.6bn in 2025. There are no limits to where you can take your career. Job Summary The Customs Compliance Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with U.S. and international customs regulations governing import and export activities. This role supports the efficient movement of goods across borders by managing customs clearance processes, maintaining trade compliance standards, and mitigating regulatory risks. The Customs Compliance Specialist serves as a subject matter expert in customs operations, tariff classification, valuation, country of origin determinations, and customs documentation while supporting duty optimization initiatives and ensuring adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Job Responsibilities Manage import and export compliance activities, ensuring adherence to U.S. Customs regulations and international trade requirements. Review shipment pre alerts and proactively identify potential customs clearance issues before cargo arrival; oversee end to end customs clearance processes for inbound and outbound shipments. Prepare, review, and submit customs declarations and trade documentation, including tariff classifications, customs valuation, country of origin determinations, Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) claims, Participating Government Agency (PGA) requirements, and Chapter 98 provisions. Submit export filings through the Automated Export System (AES) when not managed by a third party provider and ensure all import and export documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant. Maintain accurate trade compliance records, import master data, and customs documentation in accordance with regulatory and company requirements. Coordinate with customs brokers and logistics providers to support customs clearance activities, provide clearance instructions, review broker performance, and approve customs related duties, fees, and invoices as appropriate. Identify and implement opportunities to optimize duty and tax costs through the proper use of customs programs, trade agreements, duty reduction strategies, and other applicable customs provisions. Audit customs broker activities and analyze customs data from ACE, broker reports, and internal systems to identify compliance risks, discrepancies, recurring issues, and process improvement opportunities. Prepare compliance metrics, reports, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for leadership and support government audits, regulatory inquiries, and requests for information by providing required documentation and trade data. Serve as the site's subject matter expert for customs and trade compliance, partnering with Procurement, Logistics, Program Management, Engineering, suppliers, customers, customs brokers, and logistics service providers to resolve trade related issues, including Harmonized System (HS) classification support. Resolve daily customs compliance and clearance issues while escalating significant regulatory risks, compliance concerns, or operational issues when appropriate. Job Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Business, Compliance, Logistics, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree. 3 - 5 years of experience in customs compliance, import/export operations, international trade, customs brokerage, or a related field. Strong working knowledge of U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations and international trade compliance requirements. Experience with customs entry processes, tariff classification, customs valuation, country of origin determinations, and duty optimization programs. Experience reviewing and managing customs documentation, including PGA requirements, FTA claims, and Chapter 98 provisions. Familiarity with ACE, AES, and customs broker management. Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Experience conducting audits, analyzing trade data, and preparing compliance reports and KPIs. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and experience with ERP and customs management systems. Must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR and eligible to access export controlled information. Preferred Qualifications U.S. Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) designation. Knowledge of FTAs, duty drawback programs, Chapter 98 provisions, and other customs special programs. Experience supporting regulatory audits, government inquiries, and customs compliance investigations. Experience working within a manufacturing, aerospace, defense, logistics, distribution, or global supply chain environment. We’ll offer you fantastic challenges and amazing opportunities. This is your chance to be part of an organisation that has proven itself to be at the cutting edge of our industry; and is committed to pushing the boundaries even further. And with some of the best training on offer in the industry, who knows how far you can go? A Great Place to work needs a Great Way of Working Everyone is welcome to apply to GKN. We believe that we can only achieve our ambitions through a coming together of diverse minds who enjoy collaborating in an inspirational environment. Through our commitment to diversity, inclusion and belonging and by living our five powerful principles we’ve created a culture where everyone feels welcome to contribute. It’s a culture that won us ‘The Best Workplace Culture Award’. By embracing and celebrating what makes us unique we encourage everyone to bring their full self to work. We’re also committed to providing an accessible recruitment process, so if you require reasonable adjustments at any stage during our recruitment process please get in touch and let us know. We are the place where human dreams, plus human endeavour, shape the future of aerospace innovation and technology. ​ ​