Compliance Specialist

Job Title: Customs & Trade Compliance Specialist

Location: [Valley Stream, NY / Hybrid] Reports To: Kristin Hanel - President

H.W. St. John & Co is a full-service Customs house broker located in Valley Stream, NY which is only 15 miles from JFK airport. We are an in-house international freight forwarder and logistics specialist. We have been setting service standards in importing and exporting since 1902. We pride ourselves on the customer service that we provide and are looking for individuals who are self-driven with an entrepreneurial spirit that have the desire to grow both personally and professionally.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly detailed and proactive Compliance Specialist to join our customs brokerage and freight forwarding team. This role is critical in ensuring our clients and internal operations remain in full alignment with evolving U.S. trade laws. You will be the resident expert on complex regulatory frameworks, responsible for mitigating risk through rigorous auditing, SOP development, and strategic advisory.

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory Subject Matter Expertise: Monitor and interpret complex trade actions, specifically navigating Section 301 (China tariffs), Section 232 (Steel/Aluminum), and Sec 122 (imposed 10%) regulations.
• Sanctions & Security: Maintain oversight of IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) compliance and ensure all shipments adhere
• Post-Entry & Refunds: Lead the recovery of overpaid duties through Protests (19 USC §1514) and CAPE Filing on behalf of our customers
• Inquiry Management: Act as the primary point of contact for CBP communications, including drafting technical responses to CBP Form 28 (Request for Information) and CBP Form 29 (Notice of Action) .
• Internal Auditing & SOPs: Conduct regular entry audits to ensure HTS classification and valuation accuracy. Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the brokerage department.
• Due Diligence & Onboarding: Review and validate Power of Attorney (POA) documents and perform comprehensive due diligence on new importers to ensure regulatory integrity.
• Training & Mentorship: Translate complex legislative updates into actionable insights for the team. Conduct regular training sessions to keep staff informed on current and upcoming regulatory shifts.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Minimum 10+ years in Customs Brokerage or Trade Compliance.
• Licensing: [Optional but preferred] Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) designation.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the 19 CFR , the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), and the ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) portal.

§ Proficiency in Microsoft office, teams, excel and other technical software is required

§ 5+ years Cargowise Experience

• Analytical Skills: Proven ability to manage large datasets for duty drawback or refund opportunities.
• Communication: Exceptional technical writing skills for formal responses to government agencies and the ability to simplify complex rules for non-expert team members.

If you are interested in joining the H. W. St. John Team, please forward your resume to [email protected]

Pay: $55,975.70 - $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Profit sharing

License/Certification:

• Customs Broker License (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Valley Stream, NY 11580