Customs Specialist (Mandarin Speaking)

Customs Specialist (Mandarin Speaking)

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We are looking for a Customs Specialist to support daily customs clearance and transport coordination activities for our UK logistics operations. This role will work closely with customs brokers, carriers, hauliers, warehouses, internal operations teams and customers to ensure shipments are cleared, collected and delivered smoothly and in compliance with customs and operational requirements.

The role is suitable for someone with hands-on experience in customs clearance, import/export coordination, freight forwarding, transport operations or supply chain administration. The successful candidate should be detail-oriented, responsive, organised and able to follow up shipment issues until closure.

Customs Specialist (Mandarin Speaking) Key Responsibilities

Customs Clearance Coordination

• Coordinate daily import and export customs clearance activities with customs brokers, freight forwarders and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare, check and follow up customs clearance documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, transport documents, customs instructions and other supporting documents.
• Monitor the clearance status of inbound and outbound shipments and ensure timely updates are provided to relevant teams.
• Follow up with customs brokers on customs entries, holds, examinations, missing information and clearance delays.
• Support the resolution of customs-related queries, including HS codes, product descriptions, declared values, importer/exporter details and shipment documentation.

Transport, Collection and Delivery Follow-up

• Coordinate with hauliers, carriers and internal transport teams to arrange shipment collection, delivery and transfer after customs clearance.
• Ensure the handover between customs clearance, warehouse receiving, transport collection and final delivery is properly followed up.
• Monitor shipment milestones, including arrival, clearance release, collection, delivery and proof of delivery.
• Communicate with carriers and hauliers to resolve operational issues such as failed collection, delivery delay, incorrect booking, missing reference, vehicle allocation or site access issues.

Internal and External Communication

• Act as a daily contact point between customs brokers, transport providers, warehouses, customer service, retail teams and internal logistics teams.
• Provide clear and timely updates on shipment status, clearance progress, exceptions and next actions.
• Escalate urgent customs or transport issues to the line manager when there is a risk of delay, compliance concern or customer impact.
• Support customer-facing or internal teams with accurate information related to customs clearance and delivery progress.

Documentation and Data Management

• Maintain accurate shipment records, customs clearance status, transport booking details and exception logs.
• Ensure customs and transport documents are properly filed and traceable for audit and operational reference.
• Support invoice checking, customs duty/VAT information collection and cost verification where required.
• Assist in preparing operational reports on clearance performance, shipment exceptions, ageing cases and broker/carrier performance.

Compliance and Process Support

• Follow company customs compliance procedures and ensure shipment information is handled accurately.
• Support the implementation of customs SOPs, broker instructions and internal process improvements.
• Identify recurring customs or transport issues and provide feedback to improve process efficiency.
• Assist with internal audits, customs reviews and compliance checks when required.

Customs Specialist (Mandarin Speaking) Required Skills and Experience

• Experience in customs clearance, freight forwarding, import/export operations, transport coordination or logistics operations.
• Basic understanding of UK customs procedures, import/export documentation and shipment clearance processes.
• Familiarity with customs brokers, hauliers, carriers, warehouses and supply chain workflows.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to coordinate with multiple internal and external parties.
• Good attention to detail and ability to handle shipment documentation accurately.
• Strong follow-up ability and ownership of open issues until closure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Outlook and general office systems.
• Able to work under pressure and respond to urgent operational issues in a timely manner.
• Good written and spoken English.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with e-commerce, retail, freight forwarding, 3PL or cross-border logistics operations.
• Knowledge of HS codes, Incoterms, customs entries, duty/VAT, import declarations and export documentation.
• Experience working with customs brokers, parcel carriers, hauliers or warehouse operations in the UK.
• Chinese language skills would be advantageous but are not essential.

Key Competencies

• Detail-oriented and organised
• Strong follow-up and execution
• Clear communication
• Problem-solving mindset
• Sense of urgency
• Compliance awareness
• Team collaboration
• Ownership and accountability

Performance Expectations

• Ensure customs clearance cases are followed up in a timely and accurate manner.
• Reduce avoidable delays caused by missing documents, unclear instructions or poor communication.
• Maintain clear visibility of shipment status from clearance through to collection and delivery.
• Support smooth communication between customs brokers, hauliers, warehouses and internal teams. xwwtmva
• Ensure customs and transport records are accurate, complete and easy to trace.

Customs Specialist (Mandarin Speaking) Benefits Pay £13.42 per hourMon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM