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 (hậu kiểm) 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
Requirements for the Job Functional Experience• 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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