Import Compliance & Product Safety Specialist

Company Description

Founded in 1983 Squire Boone Village is a leading wholesale provider of candies souvenirs gifts and jewelry. With innovative displays and custom-printed products the company helps customers create unique branded merchandise that sets their stores apart. Squire Boone Villages products can be found in thousands of locations worldwide. The company is inspired by the adventurous and pioneering spirit of its namesake Squire Boone.

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role for an Import Compliance & Product Safety Specialist based in New Albany IN. The Import Compliance & Product Safety Speciailist/Manager is responsible for overseeing all import regulatory compliance customs classification and product safety testing requirements for the company. This role ensures full compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) applicable ASTM standards and marketplace-specific requirements such as Amazon testing protocols.

This position will lead testing strategy certification management HTS classification duty optimization broker coordination and audit readiness. The role is critical to protecting the company from shipment delays penalties recalls and unnecessary duty expense.

Key Responsibilities

CPSIA / CPSA Product Safety Compliance

• Ensure compliance with CPSIA requirements for childrens products and other applicable CPSA-regulated product categories.
• Manage all required Childrens Product Certificates (CPCs) and General Certificates of Conformity (GCCs).
• Oversee required third-party laboratory testing and ensure testing certificates accompany each applicable import shipment.
• Maintain a system to track annual testing renewals and prevent certificate expirations.
• Develop testing strategies to group products into families where permissible to reduce testing costs.
• Ensure proper documentation retention to support audits investigations or product recalls.
• Maintain awareness of CPSC updates and regulatory changes.

ASTM & Product Development Integration

• Ensure testing aligns with applicable ASTM safety standards (including toy standards where applicable).
• Collaborate with Product Development and Engineering teams to ensure new products are designed to meet CPSIA CPSA and ASTM standards prior to production.
• Provide compliance guidance during product design to avoid costly redesigns or failed testing.
• Establish pre-production compliance review checkpoints.

Amazon & Marketplace Compliance

• Monitor and implement Amazon testing and documentation requirements.
• Ensure laboratory reports and compliance documentation meet Amazons most current protocols.
• Maintain organized compliance files to quickly respond to Amazon documentation requests.
• Monitor updates to marketplace compliance rules and proactively implement changes.

Import & Customs Compliance

• Determine and maintain accurate HTS tariff classifications.
• Optimize duty rates by ensuring proper classification and eligibility for trade programs.
• Validate country of origin determinations and customs valuation accuracy.
• Review commercial documentation for customs accuracy.
• Manage post-entry corrections amendments or prior disclosures if needed.

Broker & Freight Forwarder Management

• Serve as primary liaison with customs brokers and freight forwarders.
• Ensure required testing certificates and compliance documentation are submitted with each applicable import shipment.
• Provide clear filing instructions to brokers.
• Resolve customs clearance issues efficiently.
• Reduce reliance on outside consulting firms by maintaining internal compliance expertise.

Recordkeeping Audits & Risk Management

• Maintain meticulous records in compliance with customs and CPSC recordkeeping requirements.
• Prepare documentation in the event of a CPSC audit or product recall.
• Conduct internal compliance reviews.
• Develop and maintain written compliance procedures.

Duty Management & Cost Optimization

• Gradually assume responsibility for customs duties management and tariff code strategy.
• Analyze duty spending and identify savings opportunities.
• Evaluate eligibility for duty mitigation programs.
• Ensure classifications are defensible and compliant while financially optimized.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors degree in supply chain International Trade Regulatory Affairs or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5 years of experience in import compliance customs or product regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of:
• CPSIA & CPSA regulations
• CPSC testing and certification requirements
• ASTM safety standards (particularly for toys if applicable)
• HTS tariff classification
• Experience managing third-party laboratory testing programs.
• Experience working with customs brokers and freight forwarders.
• Strong documentation management and audit readiness experience.
• Ability to interpret regulatory language and implement practical processes.

Preferred:

• Licensed Customs Broker (LCB)
• Certified Customs Specialist (CCS)
• Experience in childrens products toys or regulated consumer goods
• Experience with Amazon Seller Central compliance systems