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What’s your background? I joined JET Equipment twenty years ago in the documentation department. The more I learned about imports, the more I wanted to be involved with them. When an opening in the Customs area became available I was given the opportunity to take it. I’ve been handling the customs brokerage for 12 years and the inbound logistics for 8 years. Before joining JET, I was a library clerk. I think the detailed nature of library work really helped to prepare me for the precise, detailed oriented work involved with the customs tariff. Tell me more about the customs tariff. Everything that comes into this country must be classified according to the Harmonized Code, an international tariff or set of classification rules and regulations. Classification is done using numbers, numbers and more numbers. Every product (from a piece of woodworking machinery to a nut or a bolt) is classified with a unique number. Everyone all over the world classifies goods using the same general criteria. The center for the tariff is in Brussels. The U.S. adds four additional digits to their numbers for their own statistical purposes. In what ways are you working with international trade day to day? I’m involved with all phases of the inbound ocean shipments including filing all documents with U.S. Customs to clear cargo for entry into the United States. I’m a licensed Customs House Broker and required to know all the rules and regulations involved with importing goods into the U.S. The rules are constantly changing so it’s very important to stay current. I work closely with the steamship carriers, like APL to ensure that ocean freight charges have been paid on inbound shipments and customs clearance complete. I arrange trucking or rail to our warehouse facilities in Auburn, Washington and Lavergne, Tennessee. Sometimes our cargo is held up by various types of Customs exams or a USDA exam to ensure no foreign insects or diseases have been brought into the country on the packing or crating materials. This requires me to work with Customs and the steamship carrier to accomplish the inspection and get the cargo released as soon as possible. You mentioned being a licensed Customs House Broker. What’s involved in the licensing process? You must pass a very difficult 4 1/2 hour test given by U.S. Customs. The test is offered only twice a year all over the country at the same hour on the same day. It takes between 6 months and a year and a half to prepare for this exam. Prep courses are offered. With this license, you are recognized as having the knowledge and skills needed to complete and file all documents with U.S. Customs to clear cargo for entry into the United States. Which other countries do you work with? How do you work with them? Who do you work with? I work primarily with Taiwan because that is where the largest volume of cargo is imported from. JET has an office in Taichung and I work with them to help in communications with our Taiwan suppliers. We also import product from Mainland China, Japan, Korea, France, Spain, New Zealand and Peru. I receive documents from the shippers in these countries and communicate with them directly when I need additional information about upcoming shipments. We usually communicate via fax or email. What are your goals in this position/plans for 1998? My goal is to meet the many challenges of my job while maintaining my sanity! The Customs Modernization Act over the last few years has created a lot of worthwhile but extra responsibilities in my position. The Customs Modernization Act is a process designed to streamline U.S. Customs Service and make it more efficient and cost effective. The focus has switched from concentrating on each individual entry to working with "accounts". This means reviewing major companies that import goods into the U.S., auditing their performance and internal controls and assigning them an account manager to work closely with them to ensure compliance with Customs. Describe a typical day. I start off the day preparing documents for incoming shipments which are transmitted electronically via ABI (Automated Brokerage Interchange) for clearance or Customs release. ABI uses special computer software to communicate with a nationwide Customs computer that is located in Virginia. I also notify truckers, keep a log of incoming shipments and make electronic payments of duty charges. What do you like most/least about your job? I love meeting the people I work with over the phone and being able to put a face to a name and a voice, like the Customs and carrier representatives. I don’t particularly care for all the paperwork that constantly comes across my desk which seems never ending at times and must be reviewed and filed or discarded depending on if it applies to your company situation or not. Any advice to kids K-12? My advice is to strive for a well rounded education. To learn all you can about computers. To develop a strong sense of integrity meaning "do what you say you will do". Learn what’s required of you and make sure you do that. Most importantly, though, treat people the way you’d like to be treated. I’ve tried hard to develop a sense of ethics in business and I think it’s paid off. I’ve built up a trust and established a reputation in my field which I think helps me do a better job. Good luck! |
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