Customs Compliance Specialist

Definition of Enesco's Business:

Enesco, LLC is a well-known, recognized international leader in the gifts and home décor industry. Operating under the brand and portfolio trade names of Enesco Gift and Department 56, Enesco is renowned for designing, licensing, producing, and distributing creative, fun, and engaging consumer products. Enesco's portfolio includes some of the most recognized Company-owned brands such as Department 56 and The Original Snow Village, Possible Dreams, Our Name is Mud, Michelle Allen Designs, and Izzy & Oliver, as well as iconic licensed brands including Jim Shore, Disney, Lolita, Etta Vee, Grinch, Harry Potter, Sanrio, and Britto.

With over 60 years of experience, Enesco markets and distributes its products to a wide variety of specialty card and gift retailers, home décor boutiques, national retail chains, and direct-to-consumer retailers through its own dedicated headquarters, field, and in-house salesforces together with international distributors and eCommerce channels in over 50 countries serving markets in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia.

Enesco's international headquarters is located in Itasca, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, with subsidiaries and business units in the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and China.

For more information, visit www.enesco.com

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Position Summary:

The Customs Compliance Specialist position is responsible for duty classification and compliance with import regulations. This position will act as subject matter expert for all customs and tariff issues and will work with other departments within the organization such as Product Development, Sourcing, Purchasing, Quality Assurance, Finance, Marketing, Logistics and Legal.

The position is also responsible for Canadian HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) classification for product shipping to the company's Canadian subsidiary.

The position also serves as the Point of Contact for the CTPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) program and works closely with Quality Assurance and Logistics Management.

Essential Functions/Major Responsibilities:

U.S. Tariff Classification:

• Assign accurate Tariff classifications to new product. Maintain up-to-date information on classification rulings and other supportive documentation. Update tariff codes to company systems, both Peoplesoft and SharePoint.
• Stay abreast of Customs Rules and Regulations. Advise management of trade issues that may affect the company.
• Answer tariff rate inquiries from Product Development, and provide duty cost-saving strategies, such as changes in material, pricing, design, and marketing.
• Respond timely to inquiries from U.S. Customs, Customs Brokers, and UPS. Provide HTS Product Reports to Custom Broker on a periodic basis.
• Identify product requiring OGA (Other Government Agencies) reporting, such as Fish and Wildlife, Aphis-USDA (US Department of Agriculture), and FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Request material data information from vendors and maintain records. Advise Quality Assurance and Product Development if permits or other restrictions may apply.
• Maintain Duty Classification Guidelines, Manuals, and SOP (Standard Operating Procedure). Maintain duty and tariff databases in Peoplesoft.
• Audit import entry files and advise Custom Broker to correct errors of mistake or omission, as necessary. Submit classification ruling requests as needed.
• Perform periodic on-line catalog review of new product, ensuring accuracy and uniformity of classification application.

Canada Tariff Classification

• Assign Canada HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) codes to product shipping to Canada. Answer Canada Customs Broker inquiries. Answer UPS inquiries for tariff numbers. Maintain guidelines and update duty tables in Peoplesoft as required.
• Review Canada customs entries and charges for payment.

CTPAT

• Act as the Point of Contact for CTPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism). Update and maintain the CTPAT program. Stay abreast of new developments and new information. Work closely with the Quality Assurance Team, and the VP of Operations in the review process. Liaison with other departments and management to share best practices and update security procedures.
• Send CTPAT Security questionnaires to new vendors and/or request evidence of recent audits or Security Certification. Share best practices and updates with vendors and CTPAT partners in the Supply Chain. Log results of questionnaires and audits.
• Perform the annual Risk Assessment Review and update the Company and Security Profiles on the web-based CTPAT portal on an annual basis.
• Work closely with Quality Assurance during the re-validation process and answer all SCSS (Supply Chain Security Specialists) questions regarding the renewal.

Valuation

• Track assists and indirect payments that must be declared to U.S. Customs and advise Customs Broker. Review debit notes for duty-ability.
• Familiar with valuation concerning transaction value, transfer pricing, selling, and buying commissions.

Permits

• Maintain permit renewals for stuffed bedding (pillows or stuffed blankets). Apply for new permit/testing if required.
• Apply for a new Fish & Wildlife import and export license on an annual basis.

Exports/SLI's

• Support the Logistics Team. Complete the Shippers Letter of Instruction for export shipments.

Costing

• On an annual basis, update the ocean freight rates table in the company database. Support Logistics to determine.