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Customs Manager
Job Location:
Job Location:
Cape Town - South Africa
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Monthly Salary:
Experience Required:
5years
Experience Required:
Posted:
4 September 2026 (11 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
2 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
We are seeking an experienced Customs Manager to lead and manage national Customs operations within a dynamic logistics and international trade environment.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring compliance with SARS Customs and Excise legislation managing import and export operations overseeing cross-border and transit activities and driving operational excellence across the Customs function. This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on Customs expertise and requires a strong understanding of Customs compliance tariff classification rebates refunds and stakeholder management.
Responsibilities:
- National Deferment and Financial Governance:
- Manage all national Customs deferments and reconciliations.
- Forecast duties VAT liabilities and refund recoveries.
- Prepare monthly Customs financial reporting and variance commentary.
Refunds Adjustments and Rebate/Permit Governance:
- Oversee duty refund and provisional-payment applications.
- Ensure timeous liquidations and SARS submissions.
- Own governance of permits rebates and bond-store operations including:
Monthly reconciliations
Tracking and renewal of expiry dates
Compliance reporting
Supporting clients in establishing rebate/bond facilities
SARS Operational Interaction and Compliance:
- Attend to SARS stops inspections verifications and documentary reviews.
- Drive rapid query resolution to minimize penalties and delays.
- Lead SARS post-clearance audits verifications and AEO compliance requirements.
Operational Continuity and Hands-On Support:
- Perform full import export cross-border road freight and transit clearances when required (tariffing EDI processing refunds bonding RIT/RIB etc.).
- Provide operational cover during staff absence peak periods or emergencies.
- Support Unitrans divisions with all Customs requirements.
RIT/RIB Transit and Cross-Border Compliance:
- Ensure timely acquittal of all RIT/RIB movements.
- Oversee compliance with SARS bonding regulations and SADC/COMESA transit requirements.
- Monitor and govern all cross-border road freight documentation and compliance.
Tariff Library and Technical Advisory:
- Maintain an updated tariff classification library.
- Provide advanced tariff Incoterms regulatory and trade documentation guidance.
- Track and implement tariff amendments rebate updates and regulatory changes.
Systems Digital Workflow and Process Management:
- Ensure accuracy and turnaround of all ShipShape entries.
- Drive workflow automation digital optimization and integration with BI dashboards and client systems.
- Identify efficiency improvements and standardize national Customs processes.
Advanced Client Advisory:
- Conduct client reviews on tariff rulings rebates refunds and regulatory impacts.
- Support tender inputs and new business proposals with customs expertise.
- Guide clients on AEO readiness and cross-border compliance.
Leadership Performance and Talent Management:
- Supervise mentor and appraise customs staff performance.
- Manage KPIs and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Support succession planning and identify high-potential internal talent.
Training and Development:
- Facilitate SARS Incoterms and industry updates.
- Promote continuous technical development and compliance awareness across branches.
Stakeholder Interface:
- The role actively engages with:
- SARS Customs and Excise (operational audit and compliance teams)
- Regulatory bodies (ITAC NRCS SADC/COMESA)
- Clients (operational finance procurement supply chain)
- Internal stakeholders:
Operations
Finance
Sales and Commercial
Divisional management
Risk and Compliance
IT/Systems
Requirements
Qualifications and Experience:
- Tertiary qualification in Customs and Excise International Trade or Supply Chain Management.
- Minimum 810 years senior Customs experience including supervisory or management roles.
- Strong hands-on Customs expertise (tariffing bonding rebates refunds RIT/RIB inspections cross-border).
- Advanced knowledge of SARS systems (TMS eFiling EDI) ShipShape and BI reporting.
- SARS Customs Master Accreditation or equivalent (advantageous).
- Experience in a large freight forwarding logistics or supply chain environment (advantageous).
Required Skills:
Minimum 810 years senior Customs experience including supervisory or management roles. Strong hands-on Customs expertise (tariffing bonding rebates refunds RIT/RIB inspections cross-border). Advanced knowledge of SARS systems (TMS eFiling EDI) ShipShape and BI reporting. SARS Customs Master Accreditation or equivalent (advantageous). Experience in a large freight forwarding logistics or supply chain environment (advantageous).
Required Education:
Tertiary qualification in Customs and Excise International Trade or Supply Chain Management.
