Overview
Specialist: Tariff | Clearing & Forwarding SA Jobs in Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa at DP World
Title: Specialist: Tariff | Clearing & Forwarding SA
Company: DP World
Location: Boksburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Job Context
The Customs Tariff Specialist serves as the organisation’s subject matter expert on tariff classification and customs compliance. This senior technical role is responsible for ensuring accurate HS classification of goods, interpreting customs legislation, and advising internal and external stakeholders on tariff-related matters. The role plays a critical role in optimizing duty costs, enhancing compliance posture, and improving supply chain efficiency through strategic guidance, data analysis, and continuous process improvement.
Key performance areas:
Tariff Classification and Compliance
- Perform accurate HS classification for imported/exported goods across Automotive, Consumer, and Industrial sectors.
- Interpret and apply the South African Customs Tariff, Customs Acts, and Notes.
- Document classification rationale, including binding rulings and discretionary notes.
- Control, create and/ or maintain the product library for all customers
- Monitor and communicate tariff amendments and regulatory changes.
- Vet and submit comprehensive and substantive tariff determination and value determination applications
Regulatory and Policy Liaison
- Interpret and apply the Customs Act, external policy guidelines, VAT implications, trade remedies, and preferential agreements.
- Liaise with customs authorities for rulings and clarifications.
- Draft and submit official correspondence to regulatory bodies.
Technical Documentation and Auditing
- Prepare and validate commodity descriptions and supporting documentation.
- Lead internal/external audits and implement corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain SOPs and classification guidelines.
Data Analytics and Process Improvement
- Analyse classification data to identify trends and cost-saving opportunities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to continuously improve classification and valuation accuracy.
- Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Customer and Internal Advisory
- Provide expert guidance to internal teams and external customers.
- Defend classification decisions with supporting documentation including but not limited to customs and OGA detentions and stops
- Conduct training and knowledge-sharing sessions.
Risk Management and Controls
- Identify and mitigate tariff-related compliance risks.
- Support audits and regulatory inspections.
- Respond to letters of intent/ demand in collaboration with custom manager
- Maintain a repository of technical files and origin documentation.
Collaboration and Cross-Functional Support
- Partner with Sourcing, Product Lifecycle, Regulatory Affairs, Pricing, Compliance and Sales.
- Contribute to product development and pricing strategies.
Qualifications required:
- Matric
- NCFF (NQF ¾), FIATA Diploma advantageous
- Logistics or similar degree/diploma advantageous.
- SDS or Higher certificate in Freight Forwarding and Customs Compliance
Skills and Experience required:
- Minimum 5-7 years of hands-on experience in tariff classification and customs compliance.
- Sector experience in Automotive, Consumer, or Industrial products preferred.
- Proven expertise in South African Customs Tariff, Customs Act, and Customs Notes.
- Experience with binding rulings and regulatory correspondence.
- Familiarity with preferential trade agreements and origin rules.
- Proficiency in trade compliance software and ERP systems.
- Exposure to export controls, sanctions, and anti-dumping regulations.
- Support landed cost modelling and competitiveness analysis.
- Cargowise 1
- Advanced Microsoft Office – Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word
- HS Nomenclature and General Rules for Interpretation (GRIs).
- Customs Notes and classification methodologies.
- South African Customs legislation and trade agreements.
- Duty optimization strategies, rebates, and drawback programs.
- Export controls and valuation principles.
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.