Declaration Supervisor / Manager

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled Declaration Supervisor / Manager to join our clearing and forwarding team in Mombasa, Kenya. This role focuses on overseeing the preparation and processing of accurate customs declarations and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements to facilitate smooth cargo clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and process import, export, transit, and warehousing declarations using KRA iCMS.
• Verify completeness and accuracy of shipping and commercial documentation.
• Ensure proper HS tariff classification, valuation, and calculation of duties and taxes.
• Track declarations throughout submission, assessment, payment, verification, and cargo release phases.
• Address and resolve customs queries, documentation issues, and clearance challenges promptly.
• Ensure compliance with KRA, EACCMA, and other customs regulations.
• Collaborate effectively with KRA, KPA, KEBS, shipping lines, CFSs, government bodies, clients, and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate customs records and generate operational reports.
• Guide clients and internal teams on customs procedures and regulatory matters.
• Supervise and coordinate declaration team activities, reviewing their work for accuracy and adherence to standards.
• Monitor team output to reduce errors, penalties, delays, and unnecessary costs.
• Escalate complex customs and operational issues to higher management as needed.

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Clearing & Forwarding, Logistics, International Trade, Supply Chain Management, or related disciplines.
• Valid customs declaration certification recognized by KRA where applicable.
• For Supervisor level: minimum 3 years of relevant experience; for Manager level: minimum 5 years.
• Hands-on experience with KRA iCMS platform.
• Strong understanding of customs procedures, tariff classification, valuation, duty computations, and clearance processes.
• Previous supervisory or managerial experience in declaration teams is advantageous.

Core Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of customs clearance operations and KRA iCMS.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent communication and negotiation proficiency.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure to meet tight deadlines.
• Customer-focused approach with high integrity and professionalism.
• Leadership skills with ability to manage and motivate teams.
• Effective collaboration with regulatory authorities, shipping and terminal operators, clients, and other parties.

Performance Metrics

• Ensuring accuracy and high quality in customs declarations.
• Timely clearance of cargo with minimized turnaround times.
• Compliance with customs and regulatory standards.
• Reduction in declaration errors, penalties, and clearance delays.
• Efficient management and resolution of pending declarations.
• Maintaining high levels of client satisfaction and service quality.
• Improvement in team productivity and leadership effectiveness.
• Preparation and delivery of accurate operational reports on schedule.

Additional Information

The role requires a proactive, detail-driven individual with strong commercial insight and ownership of processes. Candidates should be able to juggle multiple priorities, resolve customs-related challenges independently, and build robust relationships with clients and regulators.

Location: Mombasa, Kenya

Position: Declaration Supervisor / Manager