Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems has an opening for a Principal Traffic Administrator 3 to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located in El Segundo, CA.
Essential Functions:
Plans, schedules and routes imports and export shipments including monitoring the flow of traffic to/from foreign destinations, ensuring related customer service products. Manage day-to-day customs entry declaration coordination with freight forwarders, customs broker and government agencies. Verify all customs and import business, entry transaction and documentation for accuracy. As defined by 19 CFR 111.1, activities involving transactions with CBP concerning the entry and admissibility of merchandise, its classification and valuation, the payment of duties, taxes, tariffs, or other charges assessed or collected by CBP or other government agencies on merchandise by reason of its importation. Maintains compliance with federal and foreign regulations; governing the shipment, receipt and documentation of imported/exported products.
HTS Classification Specialist assigns accurate Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes to imported and exported goods to ensure full compliance with customs laws. Reviews technical specifications, engineering drawings, bills of materials, and product literature to understand item composition and function. Research and apply the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs), Explanatory Notes, and Customs rulings (such as CBP CROSS) to assign correct HTSUS or Schedule B codes. Maintains clear rationales and records for every classification decision to support customs audits and inquiries. Partner with procurement, engineering, logistics, and legal teams to resolve missing or unclear product data.
Essential Functions:
• Provide classification according to the HTSUS. Requires the ability to interpret US Harmonized Tariff Schedule along with very good understanding of chapter and explanatory notes, and ability to support HTS classification with relevant GRI, Chapter notes, explanatory notes and customs rulings.
• Assist in providing technical expertise guidance related to: HTS classification, customs valuation, preferential origin determinations (e.g., free trade agreements), duty deferral programs (e.g., foreign trade zone, inward processing/bonded regimes), customs declaration and clearance to internal customers.
• Review all customs entry documentation ensuring each entry is accurate and compliant prior to presenting to U.S. Customs.
• Serve as lead interface to U.S. customs broker ensuring sector import declarations are accurate, filed timely, and all supporting documentation is included.
• Coordinate the delivery of international shipments with the U.S. customs broker and/or freight-forwarder.
• Ensure all required records are established and maintained in accordance with company policy and U.S. government regulations.
• As needed support import compliance assessments.
• Execute export and import licensing activities in compliance with applicable U.S. laws and regulations.
• Collaborate in the on-going development of global trade compliance solutions to streamline customs data management and customs requirements.
• Researches and resolves customer or supplier issues.
• Actively engage with internal and external worldwide import/export operations and organizations.
• Meet internal customer's deadlines by ensuring timely processing and delivery of import shipments.
• Supports internal and external trade trainings for the import community, and other functional organizations.
• Ensure timely processing of vendor invoices.
• Identifies and reports all post entry amendments.
• Audit all import files for accuracy/completeness according to company policy.
• Monitor forwarder performance and provide feedback to forwarder as appropriate.
• Support NGC export personnel/process to ensure required documentation/data is secured prior to exportation in order to facilitate the processing of import entries.
• Support other Traffic and administrative functions, as required.
Basic Qualifications:
Bachelor's with 5 years of experience or a Master’s Degree with 3 years of experience, or PhD and 1 year experience in Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes to imported and exported goods.
• Valid U.S. Customs Broker License
• Minimum of 5 years work experience with CBP in customs brokerage, freight-forwarder, or large importer
• Ability to interpret US Harmonized Tariff Schedule along with very good understanding of chapter and explanatory notes, and ability to support HTS classification
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance and Special Programs Access within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Defense industry experience
• Active U.S. Government DoD security clearance at the Secret level
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