Entry Writer — Chicago, IL

# Entry Writer — Chicago, IL A well-established international freight forwarder and customs brokerage — FMC NVOCC/OTI licensed, IATA/CNS certified, with X2 Elite & G7N global network reach across 150+ countries — is hiring out of their Greater Chicago / O'Hare-area office. Specialties include FCL/LCL ocean, air freight, dangerous goods, warehousing, and customs brokerage, with strong verticals in automotive, mechanical engineering, and optical. Confidential search — company name shared after a brief intro conversation. ## About the Role The Chicago office is hiring an on-site **Entry Writer** to prepare and file U.S. customs entries under the supervision of the firm's Licensed Customs Brokers. This is the operational backbone of the brokerage practice — accurate classification, clean documentation, and on-time filings that keep cargo moving and clients out of trouble with CBP. The role works inside a small, specialized team where attention to detail and ownership of the file from receipt to release matter more than volume metrics. ## What You'll Do - Prepare and file U.S. customs entries (formal and informal) via ACE / ABI on behalf of importer clients - Classify goods under the HTSUS, calculate duties, taxes, and applicable fees, and verify country of origin and valuation - Review commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and arrival notices for completeness and accuracy - Coordinate with carriers, importers, and overseas agents to gather missing documentation and resolve discrepancies before filing - Communicate with CBP and Partner Government Agencies (FDA, USDA, FCC, EPA, etc.) as required for the commodity - Resolve customs holds, exams, and document requests directly with CBP and the importer - Track and follow each entry from ISF through release and delivery, escalating issues to the Licensed Customs Broker as needed - Maintain accurate records in the brokerage software and ensure compliance with CBP recordkeeping requirements - Partner with the operations team on multimodal files (ocean, air, ground) where customs is one leg of a larger move ## What You Bring **Required:** - 2+ years of customs entry filing experience at a freight forwarder, customs broker, or 3PL - Working knowledge of HTSUS classification, valuation, and CBP entry procedures - Hands-on experience with ACE / ABI and a customs brokerage / forwarding software platform (CargoWise, Descartes, Magaya, or equivalent) - Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple active entries without dropping the ball - Clear written and verbal communication — comfortable interacting directly with CBP, importers, and overseas partners - Able to work on-site in the Greater Chicago / O'Hare area every day **Helpful but not required:** - Experience filing entries for automotive, mechanical engineering, or optical commodities - Exposure to Partner Government Agency requirements (FDA, USDA, FCC, EPA, TSCA) - Familiarity with dangerous goods documentation and IATA / IMDG requirements - Air freight entry experience given the O'Hare-adjacent footprint - Progress toward a U.S. Customs Broker License (LCB) — strong career runway if pursuing ## Compensation - **Base salary: $55,000 – $70,000** (commensurate with experience and entry volume capability) - Benefits package - On-site Chicago / O'Hare-area office - Real career runway — work alongside Licensed Customs Brokers in a small, specialized team with clear progression toward senior compliance or LCB sponsorship for the right hire