Manager: Customs

Job Function

This role provides managerial accountability for customs compliance, team performance and ensuring strategic oversight. It encompasses Delegation of Authority and adherence to escalation protocols for critical decisions. The position leads the customs team to maintain the company's accredited status, drive operational efficiency, and develop capability while ensuring full compliance with SARS regulations and internal policies. Acting as a compliance ambassador, the role safeguards regulatory integrity in all interactions and supports import and export operations to deliver exceptional client service.

Key Performance Areas:

Leadership & Strategic Accountability:

• Ensure adherence to SARS Customs & Excise Act and other regulatory bodies (ITAC, NRCS, DALRRD), maintaining audit readiness through SOPs, work instructions, control checklists, and internal audits.
• Act as the escalation point for customers and regulators, representing ICF within DoA and maintaining accurate records of all external engagements.
• Deliver monthly KPI packs and quarterly executive summaries, including risk reports and compliance insights.
• Conduct annual capability assessments and implement quarterly training programs aligned to a certification roadmap.
• Provide strategic leadership to the customs team through daily oversight, coaching, performance input, and structured engagement (stand-ups, 1:1s).
• Drive workforce planning, succession strategies, and skills development initiatives to build long-term capability.
• Oversee end-to-end customs clearance processes for imports and exports, ensuring compliance in classification, valuation, origin, rebate, permit control, SAD entries, release, and post-entry corrections.
• Manage escalations for exceptions, inspections, and urgent border issues within Delegation of Authority (DoA).
• Govern the use of ICF systems to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and retention, while recommending system enhancements for efficiency.

Oversight of Framing & Entries:

• Ensure that tariffing and customs entry processes (imports and exports) are completed accurately and in compliance with regulations across all modes of transport (Air, Sea, Road, and rail).
• Monitor and validate that framing of entries, including XDP and VOC submissions, is performed correctly and within agreed timelines.
• Oversee adherence to procedures for requesting hard copy releases from Customs and ensure proper document scanning into EDI enterprise (eDocs).
• Provide guidance and escalation for complex or high-risk entries, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance standards are maintained.

Quality Work:

• Check currency, COO, COE ROE, and tariff codes if correct before submitting to Customs.
• Check duties if payable on each shipment with Tariff Consultant.
• Quality check and monitor dutiable shipments before submission.
• Ensure oversight of tariff codes to ensure it is endorsed on the supplier invoice before submitting the bill of entry to Customs, as per Customs requirements.

Customs Status:

• Monitor and check customs status regularly (every hour) on a daily basis.
• Monitor and check for stops, detains and Code 13 queries.
• Monitor and check Code 13 (query for docs) are immediately sent to Customs.

Liaising with internal and external Clients:

• Communicating with clients on various issues including queries.
• Communicating with Customs regarding queries.
• Communicating with Shipping lines, agents, third parties, etc
• Communicating with the controllers, etc.

Liaising with Debtors or Accounts Departments:

• Ensure that all stops are correctly registered with Digital Freight Surveyors (DFS) and that follow-up communication protocols are adhered to by the team.
• Monitor and verify that email notifications and copies to controllers and relevant parties are completed promptly and accurately.
• Oversee compliance with batching and filing procedures for detains related to port health, state vet, and plant inspections, ensuring timely submission to DFS.
• Provide guidance and escalation for complex or high-risk detains to maintain regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

Quality Control:

• Monitor and oversee entries before submitting to Customs.
• Oversee and verify tariff Codes.
• Oversee and verify correct bill of entries.

Management of Custom Teams:

• Lead and manage the customs and compliance team.
• Follow up with queries when required.
• Allocate work out when necessary.
• Check and assist with the workflow.

Ad hoc:

• Occasionally assist with work not stipulated in your job description, this request will only be entertained if it's of a reasonable nature.
• Occasionally required to work overtime or flexi hours and the same applies.

Qualifications Required:

• Matric
• Degree in International Freight/FIATA Diploma or equivalent qualification.

Experience and Skills Required:

• Minimum of 10 years' experience in SARS customs compliance and legislation.
• Minimum of 5-7 years in a managing a team.
• Strong knowledge of Customs clearing procedures, rules, and regulations.
• In-depth understanding of the Customs Act, valuation, compliance, and accreditation guidelines.
• Solid knowledge of Warehousing procedures and regulations.
• Proficient in INCO-TERMS.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• A collaborative team player who can also work independently.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a methodical and accurate approach.
• Service-oriented with a strong focus on quality and compliance.
• Proactive and decisive, with the ability to make prompt, informed decisions.
• Skilled at multitasking and managing competing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills for engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of all modes of transport (Air, Sea, Road).
• Committed to staying updated on changes in Customs regulations and industry trends.
• Must hold a valid driver's license and have own reliable transport.

About DP World

Trade is the lifeblood of the global economy, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for people around the world. DP World exists to make the world's trade flow better, changing what's possible for the customers and communities we serve globally.

With a dedicated, diverse and professional team of more than 111,000 employees from 159 nationalities, spanning 77 countries on six continents, DP World is pushing trade further and faster towards a seamless supply chain that's fit for the future.

We're rapidly transforming and integrating our businesses -- Ports and Terminals, Marine Services, Logistics and Technology – and uniting our global infrastructure with local expertise to create stronger, more efficient end-to-end supply chain solutions that can change the way the world trades.

What's more, we're reshaping the future by investing in innovation. From intelligent delivery systems to automated warehouse stacking, we're at the cutting edge of disruptive technology, pushing the sector towards better ways to trade, minimising disruptions from the factory floor to the customer's door.

DP World is on a mission to transcend boundaries and bridge the gap between all nations and cultures – not just in what we do but also in how we behave.

We are dedicated to creating a culture where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. We believe that embracing inclusion and diversity, drives innovation and growth and helps us connect people, businesses, and societies. Free minds and different perspectives are changing our world, and together we can change what's possible.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW TO CHANGE WHAT'S POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

EEO Statement

DP World is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). We strongly believe that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success and we make recruiting decisions based on your experience and skills. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion, or belief.

By submitting your resume and application information, you authorize DP World to transmit and store your information in the world-wide recruitment database, and to circulate that information as necessary for the purpose of evaluating your qualifications for this or other job vacancies.