Freight & Customs Clearance Manager

Location

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Employment Type

Full-Time

Career Level

Senior Level

Experience Required

7–11 Years

Salary Range

USD $3,500 – $5,500 per month (based on experience and qualifications)

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented Freight & Customs Clearance Manager to lead and manage international freight operations, customs clearance activities, and regulatory compliance for import and export shipments. This role plays a critical part in ensuring the smooth, timely, and cost-effective movement of goods across borders while maintaining full compliance with Saudi Arabian, GCC, and international trade regulations.

The Freight & Customs Clearance Manager will have end-to-end responsibility for air, sea, and land freight movements, customs documentation, duty management, and liaison with customs authorities, ports, freight forwarders, and regulatory bodies. The role requires deep expertise in customs procedures, trade compliance, HS classification, valuation, and documentation, along with strong coordination skills to manage multiple stakeholders.

This is a senior operational role requiring hands-on leadership, problem-solving ability, and the capability to handle complex clearance scenarios, high-value shipments, and time-critical cargo. The ideal candidate will have proven experience operating within the GCC trade environment and strong familiarity with Saudi customs regulations and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Freight Operations Management

• Manage end-to-end international freight operations for import and export shipments via air, sea, and land
• Plan, coordinate, and monitor shipment movements to ensure on-time delivery
• Select optimal freight routes and transport modes based on cost, urgency, and cargo requirements
• Track shipments from origin to final destination and proactively address delays or disruptions
• Manage special shipments including project cargo, oversized cargo, and time-sensitive consignments

Customs Clearance & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate customs clearance of all import and export shipments
• Ensure full compliance with Saudi customs regulations, ZATCA requirements, GCC customs laws, and international trade rules
• Stay up to date with changes in customs duties, tariffs, trade agreements, and regulatory requirements
• Ensure all shipments comply with import/export restrictions, licensing, and approval requirements
• Minimize clearance delays, penalties, and compliance risks through proactive controls

Documentation & Trade Compliance Management

• Prepare, review, and validate all shipping and customs documentation including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, HS codes, permits, and bills of lading
• Ensure correct tariff classification, customs valuation, and duty calculation
• Maintain accurate and complete records for customs audits and regulatory inspections
• Support internal teams with advisory guidance on customs documentation and trade compliance

Liaison with Authorities & External Stakeholders

• Act as the primary point of contact with customs authorities, ports, free zones, and regulatory agencies
• Liaise with freight forwarders, clearing agents, shipping lines, and transport partners
• Build strong working relationships with government and regulatory stakeholders
• Coordinate inspections, examinations, and documentation queries with authorities

Shipment Issue Resolution & Escalation Handling

• Resolve customs holds, shipment delays, disputes, and non-compliance cases
• Handle inspections, penalties, fines, and corrective action requirements
• Investigate root causes of clearance issues and implement preventive measures
• Escalate critical issues to management with clear risk and impact assessments

Vendor & Service Provider Management

• Manage freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics service providers
• Negotiate freight rates, clearance charges, service agreements, and contracts
• Monitor vendor performance against KPIs such as clearance time, delivery accuracy, and compliance
• Ensure service providers meet safety, quality, and regulatory standards
• Identify and onboard reliable logistics partners to support business growth

Cost Control & Budget Management

• Monitor and control freight costs, customs duties, taxes, and clearance fees
• Identify cost-saving opportunities through route optimization, vendor negotiation, and process improvements
• Prepare and manage freight and clearance budgets
• Analyze cost variances and implement corrective actions
• Ensure logistics costs remain aligned with approved budgets

Trade Compliance Advisory & Risk Management

• Provide advisory support on trade compliance, customs valuation, and HS classification
• Identify compliance risks and implement mitigation strategies
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory inspections
• Ensure adherence to ethical trade practices and company compliance policies

Performance Monitoring & KPI Management

• Track and analyze key logistics KPIs including clearance time, on-time delivery, cost per shipment, and compliance performance
• Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in freight and clearance processes
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and reliability
• Benchmark logistics performance against industry standards

Records Management & Documentation Control

• Maintain accurate shipment, clearance, and compliance records
• Ensure documentation is properly archived and readily available for audits
• Implement documentation control processes to ensure consistency and accuracy
• Support digitalization and system improvements in logistics documentation

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate closely with procurement, supply chain, finance, sales, and operations teams
• Support production, project, and commercial teams with logistics planning
• Align freight and clearance activities with business priorities
• Provide timely updates to stakeholders on shipment status and risks

Reporting & Management Communication

• Prepare detailed freight, customs, and cost performance reports
• Provide regular operational updates to senior management
• Highlight risks, delays, compliance issues, and improvement opportunities
• Support management decision-making with data-driven insights

Qualifications & Educational Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or a related field
• Professional certification in customs, freight forwarding, or trade compliance is an advantage
• Strong understanding of international shipping terms (Incoterms) and trade documentation

Experience Requirements

• Minimum 7 years of experience in freight forwarding and customs clearance operations
• Proven experience managing air, sea, and land freight
• Strong hands-on experience with Saudi and GCC customs regulations
• Experience coordinating with customs authorities and regulatory bodies
• Experience handling complex, high-value, or time-critical shipments
• Prior experience in trading, manufacturing, retail, or project logistics environments preferred

Skills & Competencies

• Deep knowledge of customs regulations, HS classification, and trade compliance
• Strong operational coordination and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent problem-solving and escalation-handling abilities
• High attention to detail and documentation accuracy
• Strong negotiation and cost-control skills
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities simultaneously
• Excellent communication, reporting, and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure in deadline-driven logistics environments
• Strong ethics and compliance mindset

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive monthly salary ranging from USD $3,500 to $5,500
• Comprehensive medical insurance coverage
• Paid annual leave as per Saudi labor law
• Stable, long-term role within a structured logistics organization
• Exposure to regional and international trade operations
• Opportunity to lead critical freight and customs activities
• Career growth within logistics, supply chain, and trade management

Why Join Us

This role offers a senior-level opportunity for a logistics professional to take ownership of international freight and customs clearance operations in a complex and highly regulated trade environment. As Freight & Customs Clearance Manager, you will play a vital role in ensuring compliance, efficiency, and reliability of cross-border logistics while supporting business continuity and growth.