Customs and Excise Manager

Main Purpose:

Knowledge Skills and Abilities, Key Responsibilities:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s in Business Management or Bachelor of Laws (LLB); additional customs/trade certifications preferred (e.g., World Customs Diploma, Licensed Customs Broker).
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in customs compliance, excise duties, international trade, in regulated industries field.Strong understanding of tax accounting, economics, or law.
• In-depth knowledge of customs and excise laws, tariffs, trade regulations, and industry best practices.
• Experience as a customs officer is a must
• Experience working with customs/excise software and global trade documentation.
• Experience in oil and gas industry.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in handling documentation and customs/excise procedures.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact with internal teams, customs/excise authorities, and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and customs/excise management software.
• Fluency in English.

Key Responsibilities

Customs and Excise Compliance:

• Ensure all import/export activities are fully compliant with applicable customs and excise regulations, including classification, valuation, origin rules, and excise duty payments.
• Oversee and ensure timely and accurate filing of customs and excise declarations and other required documentation for shipments.
• Stay up to date with changes in customs, excise laws, trade regulations, tariffs, and international trade agreements.
• Conduct audits and internal reviews to ensure adherence to customs and excise policies and procedures.

Customs and Excise Strategy and Planning:

• Implement the company customs and excise strategy and work with cross-functional teams (e.g., logistics, legal, supply chain) to develop and implement effective customs and excise strategies.
• Advise on the applicable customs duties, excise taxes, and fees, including utilizing trade programs, exemptions, or free trade agreements.
• Monitor and manage trade and excise compliance risks, ensuring the company’s supply chain operations are efficient and cost-effective.

Customs and Excise Training & Guidance:

• Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders (e.g., staff, vendors, logistics teams) on customs, excise compliance, and best practices.
• Support commercial by providing technical support and answering customs and excise related inquiries.

Relationship Management – customs brokers and similar stakeholders:

• Build and maintain positive relationships with customs authorities, excise authorities, freight forwarders, customs brokers and other government agencies.
• Serve as the main point of contact for any customs or excise-related issues, including handling inquiries from customs/excise authorities and coordinating any required inspections or audits.

Problem Solving and Issue Resolution:

• Understand complex customs and excise clearance issues and discrepancies, including working closely with customs/excise officials to address any delays or concerns.

Reporting & Analysis:

• Prepare and present regular reports on customs and excise activities, trends, and risks to senior management.
• Analyse customs and excise data to identify opportunities for process improvements, cost savings, and optimization of the import/export process.

Key Relationships and Department Overview:

Department

The Indirect Tax department at Trafigura plays a vital role in ensuring the company's compliance with indirect tax laws and regulations across all of our global operations. Our team of experienced tax professionals is responsible for managing value-added tax (VAT), goods and services tax (GST), sales and use taxes, excise duties, and other indirect taxes.

Reporting Structure

-Reporting directly to Global Head of Indirect Tax