How to hire an import specialist

How to hire an import specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step import specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an import specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new import specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an import specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an import specialist, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An import specialist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, import specialists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of import specialists.

   Type of Import Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Import Specialist		$17-34
   Air Cargo Agent	An air cargo agent is responsible for the safety of all air cargo in a flight. They are responsible for inspecting each shipment, logging shipment information, monitoring shipments in transit, and ensuring that shipments reach their destinations... Show more	$12-24
   Cargo Agent	A cargo agent is primarily in charge of facilitating cargo shipments, ensuring the cargo gets to their destination timely and accurately. They are responsible for preparing and processing the necessary documents and fees, routing shipments and arranging the shipping methods, weighing the parcels, and coordinating the logistics and transportation details... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Data Entry
   • Logistics
   • US Customs
   • Invoice
   • Delivery Orders
   • Forwarders
   • FDA
   • Customs Brokers
   • Customer Service
   • Import Shipments
   • Government Agencies
   • International Trade
   • Freight Forwarders
   • HTS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work closely with government agencies, such as FDA and USDA.
   • Collaborate with foreign suppliers and freight forwarders on corrective action/preventive actions.
   • Communicate with external customers utilizing exceptional customer service to obtain missing or incomplete invoice statements require for U.S. Customs clearance.
   • Classify products with HS classification for NAFTA purposes.
   • Process special commodities such as FDA regulate articles, ADD/CVD entries.
   • Document the declaration sheet of Hazmat material for the current flight.

   More import specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the import specialist job description is a good way to get more applicants. An import specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an import specialist in Louisiana may be lower than in New York, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level import specialist. Additionally, an import specialist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average import specialist salary

   $51,757yearly

   $24.88 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level import specialist salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 18, 2026

   Average import specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$63,244	$30
   2	Washington	$61,110	$29
   3	California	$59,926	$29
   4	Massachusetts	$59,607	$29
   5	New Jersey	$58,709	$28
   6	Michigan	$57,291	$28
   7	Florida	$55,221	$27
   8	Tennessee	$52,030	$25
   9	Colorado	$51,599	$25
   10	Arizona	$51,329	$25
   11	South Carolina	$49,851	$24
   12	Illinois	$47,987	$23
   13	Virginia	$47,575	$23
   14	Georgia	$46,652	$22
   15	Texas	$40,835	$20

   Average import specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	The Judge Group	$62,859	$30.22
   2	RemX	$61,748	$29.69
   3	ITT	$61,539	$29.59
   4	Jas	$60,901	$29.28	5
   5	Dahl Consulting	$60,670	$29.17
   6	OEConnection	$60,062	$28.88	5
   7	Livingston International	$58,608	$28.18	6
   8	C.H. Robinson	$57,285	$27.54	18
   9	Trane	$51,638	$24.83
   10	Sysco	$50,365	$24.21
   11	iDE	$48,577	$23.35
   12	ServiceTitan	$48,323	$23.23
   13	Dunavant	$47,914	$23.04
   14	Expeditors	$46,930	$22.56	76
   15	Mid-America Overseas	$46,849	$22.52	2
   16	Odyssey Logistics	$46,826	$22.51
   17	Deringer-Ney Inc.	$46,438	$22.33	5
   18	Syllable	$46,438	$22.33
   19	Ylopo	$46,438	$22.33
   20	HMS Productions	$46,433	$22.32

4. Writing an import specialist job description

   A job description for an import specialist role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an import specialist job description:

   Import specialist job description example

   JAS is an international, non-asset-based supply chain services and solutions company. Our services include air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage, distribution, inbound logistics, truckload brokerage and other supply chain management services, including consulting, the coordination of purchase orders and customized management services.
   
   The role of the import specialist is to process and handle air and ocean import shipments for our customers, ensuring the highest quality standards and providing service solutions that meet or exceed our customer’s requirements. An import specialist may also oversee the Customs House Brokerage (CHB) process and ensure compliance with laws and regulations, as well as JAS Forwarding operating procedures. This position may be responsible for the completion of all custom house broker transactions and other government agency regulations in a timely manner.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Prepare, review and process appropriate documents (i.e. customers classification, commercials invoices, etc.) ensuring files contain all necessary copies, are accurate and in the proper sequence Process customs entries and check customs release details to ensure any discrepancies are handled promptly and accurately Receive and track customer bookings/shipments, update client of shipment status/delays, dispatch for delivery, collect proof of delivery (POD), cost and invoice all files Comply with all company business process guidelines Bill/Invoice each file to the respective customers paying close attention to payment terms for the responsible party Resolve and reconcile incorrect payables by working with vendors and overseas offices Assist sales, department manager(s) and colleagues in compiling quotes Provide accurate job costing forecast ensuring all payables, receivables and accruals are set and properly managed per company rules and guidelines Provide responsive customer service Dispatch freight for delivery, maintain communication with trucker throughout delivery Other duties as requested
   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None
   QUALIFICATIONS: ·Excellent organizational skills Excellent Communication skill Flexibility Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office suite a plus Detail oriented, able to multitask and meet deadlines Able to work in a team and independently Knowledge of US customs laws, practices and procedures
   EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: High School Diploma is ac plus or GED required Minimum 3 years’ experience in imports or combination of education and expertise required Experience and knowledge regarding import entry procedures, compliance, rules and regulations preferred Knowledge of First Port of Arrival (FPOA) entry processes is preferred FDA experience preferred Knowledge of Importer Security Filing (ISF) preferred Good working knowledge of OGA transactions preferred
   ENVIRONMENT:
   100% performed in climate-controlled internal office environment working under normal office conditions.
   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands and finger to feel and handle; reach with arms and hands; talk and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, and crouch; lift weight or exert a force up to a maximum of 25 pounds .
   
   ADDITIONAL:
   Follow the Company HR Policy, the Code of Business Conduct and department policies and procedures, including protecting confidential company information, attending work punctually and regularly, and following good safety practices in all activities.
   The responsibilities associated with this job will change from time to time in accordance with the Company’s business needs. More specifically, the incumbent may be required to perform additional and/or different responsibilities from those set forth above.
   The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job.
   DEFINITIONS: (if any abbreviation, the meaning needs to be inserted)
   
   Management retains discretion to add or change duties of this position at any time.
   
   JAS Forwarding (USA), Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
   
   Where required by state law and/or city ordinance; this employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
   
   NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
   
   JAS USA IS A CUSTOMS BROKER, GOVERNED BY FEDERAL REGULATION. FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT JAS MAY HAVE IT BROKERAGE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED IF IT “KNOWINGLY EMPLOYED, OR CONTINUES TO EMPLOY, ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY, WITHOUT WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THAT EMPLOYMENT FROM THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER.” JAS WILL PERFORM A BACKGROUND CHECK TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY AND IF SO, ABSENT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU WILL NOT BE HIRED OR WILL BE TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right import specialist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with import specialists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit import specialists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your import specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit import specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with import specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new import specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect import specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an import specialist?