Description
Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.
Interests
- Conventional
- Enterprising
Work Values
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Persistence
Tasks
- Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
- Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
- Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
- Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
- Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Working with Computers
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Processing Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Presentation software
- Electronic mail software
- Spreadsheet software
- Optical character reader OCR or scanning software
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Near Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Skills
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Complex Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Transportation
- English Language
- Administrative
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Master Customs SpecialistCertifying Organization
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Customs SpecialistCertifying Organization
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America
Type
Core
Certificate name
Certified U.S. Export Compliance OfficerCertifying Organization
International Trade Certification
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Certified Export SpecialistCertifying Organization
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $50,211 |
| Median (50%) | $77,218 |
| High (90%) | $142,495 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | N/A |
| Mid Level | N/A |
| Senior Level | N/A |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 403,900 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 425,800 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 5%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 5%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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