Key Responsibilities
- Prepare and review international trade documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, BL/AWB, and customs entry declarations.
- Coordinate international logistics with freight forwarders, shipping lines, and trucking companies, optimizing routes and shipping rates.
- Ensure customs compliance by verifying correct tariff classification (HS Code/NCM) and obtaining necessary import/export licenses.
- Control trade operational costs, including customs duties, local taxes, port handling fees, and container demurrage charges.
- Perform daily shipment tracking (follow-up), keeping internal teams updated on cargo arrival estimates and customs clearance status.
Requirements & Skills
Day in the Life
An Import/Export Analyst's daily routine is fast-paced and highly detail-oriented. The day starts with tracking active international shipments and coordinating arrival dates with freight forwarders and ports. Throughout the day, the analyst meticulously cross-references invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin to prevent customs clearance delays due to minor errors or incorrect classifications. They maintain direct communication with local procurement and logistics teams to report material arrival status and quickly address queries from customs brokers or shipping terminals to avoid expensive storage fees or demurrage.
Career Path
Top Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to have a customs broker license to work as an Import/Export Analyst?
No. The Import/Export Analyst works internally at a corporate level handling logistics, budgets, regulatory compliance, and partner relationships, while the customs broker is the licensed external professional registered to physically clear cargo through government agencies.
What is the main operational difference between handling imports versus exports?
An import analyst deals with domestic customs rules, paying local import duties, and coordinating local terminal release. An export analyst deals with barriers, tariffs, and document compliance requested by destination countries to ensure foreign clients can easily import the goods sold.