Trade Compliance Specialist

Job Title: Customs Specialist Job Description
The Customs Specialist supports the successful execution of trade compliance initiatives by coordinating customs-related activities in alignment with U.S. customs laws and import/export regulations. This role serves as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external trade compliance experts, ensuring project deliverables stay on track, data remains accurate, and customs processes are effectively implemented. The position manages trade compliance project coordination, maintains product master data and HTS classifications, monitors progress through reporting and KPIs, and supports audits and statutory reporting. The role is ideal for a detail-oriented professional who enjoys wearing multiple hats, values accuracy, and thrives in a growing trade compliance function within a dynamic logistics environment.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate HTS code management and maintenance activities, working closely with third-party trade compliance subject matter experts and internal stakeholders.
- Support the preparation, review, and submission of import and export documentation and declarations in accordance with applicable regulations.
- Coordinate the migration and ongoing maintenance of customs classification data within the ERP system and other internal platforms.
- Partner with freight forwarders, customs brokers, parcel service providers, and external consultants to support import clearance and customs-related activities.
- Coordinate the classification of products and parts by gathering required technical and commercial information, facilitating external reviews, and maintaining approved HTS codes and customs-relevant master data.
- Support product classification activities, including documentation associated with licenses, permits, and binding tariff information.
- Assist with sanctions, restricted-party, and embargo screening processes, and escalate potential concerns to the appropriate trade compliance experts.
- Track changes to applicable customs and trade compliance requirements and support their implementation within internal processes and systems.
- Support compliance with U.S. customs laws, export control regulations, and established internal trade compliance procedures.
- Assist with preference, country-of-origin, and supplier declaration processes, including the collection, verification, and maintenance of supporting documentation.
- Review customs and shipping documents for completeness, consistency, and accuracy, and ensure records are properly maintained and archived.
- Serve as an internal point of coordination for communication with customs authorities, regulatory bodies, brokers, and external trade compliance partners.
- Review shipping, freight, brokerage, and import-related invoices for accuracy and coordinate resolution of discrepancies with internal teams and external providers.
- Monitor project timelines, deliverables, action items, and key performance indicators, and provide regular progress updates to internal stakeholders.
- Support the translation and conversion of vendor-provided classification data into standardized formats suitable for use within company systems.
- Assist with statutory, customs, and project-related reporting by compiling data, preparing reports, and ensuring timely submission.
- Maintain organized records, project documentation, status reports, and data logs for more than 2,000 parts and products, ensuring high levels of data integrity.
- Support internal and external audits, regulatory reviews, and inspections by gathering documentation, preparing responses, and coordinating follow-up actions.
- Identify and escalate issues related to data accuracy, project timing, customs documentation, or regulatory compliance to ensure timely resolution.
- Contribute to the development and refinement of trade compliance processes as the department grows, helping to shape a new role within the organization.
Essential Skills
- 2–3+ years of professional experience in customs compliance, international trade, import/export operations, supply chain, or logistics.
- Hands-on experience with trade compliance and customs entry and review activities.
- Experience reviewing shipping, freight, brokerage, and import-related invoices for accuracy and resolving discrepancies.
- Experience supporting regulatory compliance initiatives, trade compliance activities, or business process implementation projects.
- Working knowledge of customs compliance, international trade, and import/export processes.
- Knowledge of Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications and U.S. customs or import/export compliance regulations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with strong data management and reporting skills.
- Experience working with an ERP system, such as SAP or Syspro, or similar enterprise resource planning tools.
- Familiarity with trade compliance systems such as ADV Tool, Aristocrat, ACE Portal (Automated Commercial Environment), or comparable customs applications.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage large volumes of data and documentation for thousands of parts and products.
- High attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Growth mindset, positive attitude, and willingness to take initiative in a newly created role.
- Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience in logistics environments involving rail and truck transportation.
- Background in imports, exports, and trade compliance within complex supply chains.
- Exposure to export compliance and import documentation processes.
- Experience supporting or working within a newly formed or expanding trade compliance function.
- Comfort with learning and standardizing vendor-provided classification data across multiple systems.
- Flexibility to wear multiple hats and adapt as the department grows and responsibilities evolve.
- Strong interpersonal skills to act as a liaison between logistics, trade compliance, and other internal teams.
- Interest in aviation, aerospace, or manufacturing environments, particularly related to premium aircraft seating, is a plus.
Work Environment
This role is a 6‑month onsite contract position with the potential for direct hire as budgets are reevaluated, offering the opportunity to help define and build a new trade compliance function. The position is 100% onsite with a schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., including a 30‑minute lunch break. The role sits within a logistics-focused environment where the current logistics team shares many of the duties that will transition into this dedicated trade compliance position, providing support and knowledge transfer during onboarding. You will be the primary person on-site solely focused on trade compliance as the department expands, with additional support from established trade compliance counterparts at other locations, including international sites. The facility operates as an ITAR-controlled environment and includes a distribution site with occasional short walks to a nearby building within the same campus. The broader organization specializes in business-class and premium passenger seats for airplanes, with a strong focus on full lie-flat seating systems used in modern commercial aircraft cabins, offering exposure to a sophisticated manufacturing and logistics operation. The culture values flexibility, a growth mindset, and attention to detail, and it suits someone who enjoys taking ownership, wearing multiple hats, and helping shape a new role and department.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Huntington Beach, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $42.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Huntington Beach,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 23, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.