Senior Customs Compliance Manager (Ho Chi Minh City)

DHL Global Forwarding

7-9 Years

Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh

This job is no longer accepting applications

Job Description

Job Purpose

Lead the in-house customs compliance function, ensuring regulatory oversight, declaration accuracy, and premium advisory services for multinational clients
Conduct daily regulatory monitoring, impact assessment, and legal advisory across customs, trade, and tax legislation
Develop and maintain SOPs for declaration processes, HS classification, FTA/C/O utilization, customs valuation, and document management
Develop pre-filing review frameworks to verify declaration accuracy and establish quality control workflows
Conduct periodic internal audits and prepare for post-clearance inspections (hu kim) under the 5-year audit window
Design customs solutions for complex client scenarios (EPE, bonded warehouse, dual-use, dangerous goods, cross-border)
Deliver training workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions for internal teams and client stakeholders
Collaborate with IT on process automation and customs legal intelligence tool deployment
This is a hands-on leadership role: directly perform compliance activities while overseeing the Compliance Team

Reports to: Head of Customs

Main Accountabilities

Lead daily scanning and analysis of regulatory changes across customs, trade, and tax legislation at national and sub-departmental levels
Assess operational impact of new and amended regulations on DGF's customs operations, client accounts, and declaration processes
Provide timely, accurate legal advisory to MNC clients on regulatory changes, compliance obligations, and risk mitigation strategies
Track enforcement trends and customs audit patterns across sub-departments to anticipate compliance risks
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve SOPs for declaration processes, HS classification, FTA/C/O utilization, customs valuation, commodity regulations, and document management
Design and implement compliance checklists, pre-filing verification protocols, and quality control workflows
Develop pre-filing review frameworks to verify declaration accuracy: HS codes, customs valuation, commodity policy compliance, license/permit requirements, and FTA eligibility
Establish and enforce a 2-layer verification process for all declarations
Conduct periodic internal audits of declaration accuracy and document filing, identifying patterns, root causes, and corrective actions
Manage responses to customs queries, inspections, and post-clearance audit requests in coordination with relevant teams
Design customs solutions for complex client scenarios across multiple sectors
Support business development with compliance advisory for prospective clients, regulatory impact assessments, and solution proposals
Deliver training workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions for internal teams and client stakeholders on regulatory updates and compliance best practices
Coordinate with the Declaration Manager to embed compliance checkpoints into the operational workflow
Collaborate with IT on process automation initiatives and deployment of the customs legal intelligence tool
Report to Head of Customs on compliance status, regulatory risks, and strategic recommendations

Process

Develop and maintain regulatory monitoring workflows and compliance checklists
Design and enforce pre-filing verification and 2-layer checking processes
Establish audit-readiness documentation standards for 5-year post-clearance retention
Develop client advisory frameworks and templates for regulatory change notifications
Coordinate cross-functional compliance processes between Declaration Team, Operations, and IT

People Management

Oversee and mentor the Compliance Team, ensuring consistent quality and professional development
Identify training needs and develop structured learning programs for compliance and declaration staff
Build a culture of compliance excellence, regulatory curiosity, and continuous improvement
Coordinate with Declaration Manager on team cross-training and knowledge sharing

Functional Experience

Requirements for the Job

Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience in Vietnamese customs operations, with at least 3 years in a compliance, regulatory advisory, or quality assurance role. Demonstrated experience working with complex commodity groups (high-tech electronics, chemicals, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, medical devices).
Proven track record of handling post-clearance audits, customs disputes, or regulatory investigations.
Experience serving multinational corporate accounts with high compliance expectations.

Geographical Experience

Based in Vietnam. Experience working with multinational corporate accounts across diverse industries.

Education / Qualification / Certification Requirements

Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Law, Customs, Logistics, Economics, or related field
Advanced degree or professional certifications in trade compliance, customs law, or supply chain management are advantageous
Valid Customs Agent Certificate issued by the General Department of Vietnam Customs
Deep, current knowledge of Vietnamese customs law and related regulations
Strong command of HS classification, customs valuation, FTA/C/O rules of origin, commodity policy regulations
Proficiency with VNACCS/VCIS electronic customs declaration systems
Excellent analytical and legal-research skills
Proficient in English — ability to draft client advisories, SOPs, and compliance reports
Strong communication skills — able to explain complex regulatory issues to operational staff and senior stakeholders
Strong automation skills and mindset are advantageous

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