Customs Agent Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Amazon Customs & Trade (ACT) manages US import customs clearance across multiple U.S. ports of entry for both internal and external Amazon customers. The Sr. Compliance Specialist is the primary resolution support owner for cargo detained by CBP, FDA, CPSC, EPA, and other Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) - managing each case from first notice through final resolution. You will work across a broad stakeholder set: importers of record (IORs), U.S. government agencies, examination facilities, carriers, and Amazon internal teams spanning Operations, Compliance, Legal, Finance, Origin, and Product/Tech.
ACT is scaling to meet growing import volume and increasing case complexity. This role will evolve alongside the business - we are looking for someone who can adapt, take ownership across shifting priorities, and contribute beyond their immediate caseload. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential; cases routinely carry same-day response requirements with seizure, penalty, or mounting demurrage as direct financial consequence of inaction.
Key job responsibilities
• Manage an active caseload of CBP exam holds, PGA detentions, and other enforcement actions across assigned U.S. ports - from intake through resolution (release, re-export, destruction, or formal response)
• Track and respond to CBP CF-28 and CF-29 notices within statutory deadlines; escalate approaching deadlines and elect appropriate disposition paths, including re-export, manipulation/destruction, and UFLPA exclusion proceedings
• Serve as the primary government-facing customs broker point of contact - building working relationships with CBP officers, FDA district staff, CPSC analysts, EPA inspectors, and other PGA personnel
• Coordinate logistics for cargo returns, CES pickup, drayage, and destruction with carriers, exam facilities, and Amazon's logistics network teams
• Partner cross-functionally with CTU operations, finance, controllership, and billing on entry corrections, fee approvals, invoice reconciliation, and systemic filing issues
• Draft formal agency responses, triage enforcement communications by urgency, and escalate seizure and penalty actions same business day per team SLAs
• Contribute to weekly business reviews and operational reporting - port-level case status, dwell aging, hold/exam rates, and constraint callouts for leadership
• Collaborate with product, tech, and I&I teams on automation and AI initiatives to improve exam resolution workflows and scale operational capacity
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in Trade Compliance and/or Supply Chain industry, i.e. as customs agent/officer, compliance specialist, or customs operations
- Working knowledge of CBP entry types, import regulations, and PGA hold processes (CBP, FDA, CPSC, EPA, USDA/AQI)
- Ability to read and interpret CBP forms (CF-28, CF-29, CF-7512, CF-3499) and federal enforcement correspondence
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or active pursuit of the license
- Direct experience with CPSC NOVs, UFLPA enforcement actions, FDA DWPE/DWCI holds, or EPA/TSCA refusals
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
USA, VA, Arlington - 26.29 - 41.77 USD hourly