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Import manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Xu Zhang Ph.D.,
Nina Woodard
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical import manager skills. We ranked the top skills for import managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 19.2% of import manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an import manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 import manager skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how import managers use customer service:
  • Defined and implemented long and short-term objectives; policy implementation, advertising / promotions, merchandising and customer service.
  • Conducted management reviews for 36 customer service associates and developed team goals to meet and exceed department/ company expectations.

2. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how import managers use logistics:
  • Managed staff of Import Analysts and Traffic Coordinators in accomplishing day-to-day logistics responsibilities for international and domestic shipments.
  • Assessed, reviewed and selected international and domestic manufacturing partners based upon market, pricing and logistics factors.

3. Forwarders

Here's how import managers use forwarders:
  • Negotiated letters-of-credit with suppliers and managed customs brokers and forwarders.
  • Demonstrated strong knowledge of international custom compliance, freight forwarders, and operations with competencies in dealing and influencing Union Personnel.

4. Customs Compliance

Here's how import managers use customs compliance:
  • Developed and implemented all in-house Customs compliance.
  • Developed, implemented and manage a complex Customs Compliance Program for a unique retail supply chain.

5. Freight Forwarders

Freight forwarders are the companies that ship products from source to final destination.

Here's how import managers use freight forwarders:
  • Manage freight forwarders/UPS (audio/LiDar) rate/lane country specific based.
  • Maintain Contracts with Freight Forwarders/Customhouse Brokers and Domestic Carriers for best rates and services.

6. Customs Brokers

Here's how import managers use customs brokers:
  • Determined Tariff Classifications and rated commercial invoices before forwarding all necessary documents to Customs Brokers for clearance.
  • Coordinated with customs brokers and FDA to ensure resale eligibility for all international imports.

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7. Import Export

Here's how import managers use import export:
  • Administered and complied to import export programs from the secretary of economy (Immex-Maquila).
  • Manage all global import export processes to ensure compliance with BIS, DOS and CBP.

8. Customs Regulations

Here's how import managers use customs regulations:
  • Monitored and evaluated office compliance with US Customs regulations and company policies and procedures.
  • Coordinate international shipping ensuring the process adheres and complies to customs regulations.

9. HTS

Here's how import managers use hts:
  • Verified Harmonized Tariff Schedules (HTS) for new customers, handling all issues related to CBP and other government agencies.
  • Apply the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) compliance and classification requirements for imported products for retail sales.

10. CBP

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a law enforcement organization that is responsible for the regulation of all shipped goods to the United States. The CBP enables lawful trade by collecting necessary import duties and scrutinizing cargo when needed. The criminal fraud statute offers sanctions to those who submit false information to customs officers, in addition to the civil penalties.

Here's how import managers use cbp:
  • Maintained a near zero error rate in the processing of paperwork for CBP and other government agencies.
  • Reviewed and approved all responses to CBP and other Government Agencies.

11. Import Process

Here's how import managers use import process:
  • Implement, schedule and encourage training in all areas of import processing for the west coast.
  • Manage all financial duties regarding import processes in an effective and responsible way.

12. Government Agencies

Here's how import managers use government agencies:
  • Administer, interpret and explain policies, rules and regulations of all government agencies involved in imported merchandise and international transportation.
  • Corresponded with customers and government agencies on issues and their resolution, including post entry matters.

13. Purchase Orders

Here's how import managers use purchase orders:
  • Communicated with Customs and warehouses regarding purchase orders and related paperwork.
  • Analyzed Work in Progress reports from overseas vendors based on Purchase Orders and SKU numbers.

14. FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services that regulates the production and sale of food, pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, and other consumer goods, as well as veterinary medicine. The FDA is now in charge of overseeing the manufacture of products like vaccines, allergy treatments, and beauty products.

Here's how import managers use fda:
  • Develop procedures for filing Fish & Wildlife, FDA & USDA to ensure compliance and minimize rejections and penalties.
  • Communicated daily with US Customs and the FDA.

15. Customs Entries

Here's how import managers use customs entries:
  • Reviewed and prepared Customs entries and documentation for U.S. Customs.
  • Filed Customs entries, billed and set up deliveries.
top-skills

What skills help Import Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on import manager resumes?

Xu Zhang Ph.D.

Chair, Farmingdale State College

I believe the most important attributes employers seek on a resume remain the same-problem solving skills, team work skills, analytical/quantitative skills, verbal and written communication skills. However, given the pandemic or any other unexpected shock to work environment, how to quickly and efficiently adapt to new work modes can be a very valuable attribute standing out on resume.

What import manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Nina WoodardNina Woodard LinkedIn profile

Senior Career Development Specialist, Belmont University

For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.

What type of skills will young import managers need?

Craig Nathanson Ph.D.Craig Nathanson Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Adjunct Lecturer, Sonoma State University

I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about import manager

List of import manager skills to add to your resume

Import manager skills

The most important skills for an import manager resume and required skills for an import manager to have include:

  • Customer Service
  • Logistics
  • Forwarders
  • Customs Compliance
  • Freight Forwarders
  • Customs Brokers
  • Import Export
  • Customs Regulations
  • HTS
  • CBP
  • Import Process
  • Government Agencies
  • Purchase Orders
  • FDA
  • Customs Entries
  • KPI
  • Import Operations
  • Import Shipments
  • US Customs
  • Direct Reports
  • Import Documentation
  • ACH
  • LCL
  • C-Tpat
  • USDA
  • Steamship Lines
  • Global Sourcing
  • Air Import
  • CFS
  • EDI
  • Inventory Control
  • Export Compliance
  • Compliance Issues
  • Tariff Schedule
  • FCL
  • Air Freight
  • Freight Rates
  • ABI
  • Financial Reports
  • Overseas Vendors
  • Distribution Centers
  • Trade Shows
  • Freight Costs
  • AMS
  • ISO
  • C
  • Cost Analysis
  • Contract Negotiations
  • TSA

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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