Customs Officer

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

Zambia Sugar PLC is an ABF Group sugar company and is the leading sugar producer in Zambia. Its main activities are the growing of sugar cane, the production and marketing of sugar and other sugar downstream products. The Company invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons to fill the position of Customs Officer in the Finance Department, based at Nakambala.

Overall Responsibility

The Customs Officer reports to the Customs Analyst and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with customs and tax requirements and facilitating the efficient clearance and dispatch of sugar exports.

Responsibilities or duties

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance with the Customs and Excise Act and all related tax obligations.
• Prepare and submit accurate export customs entries through ASYCUDA World.
• Ensure that all customs declarations are correctly classified and valued, based on current registration and practice.
• Ensure that payment of export fees to the ZRA are made timely.
• Monitor the correct application of trade agreements and preferential schemes, including SADC, COMESA, and other relevant trade protocols.
• Assist in reviewing and validating supporting documentation before customs declaration submission.
• Coordinate and manage the dispatch of sugar exports from Nakambala to various border points and ensure timely exit clearance of shipments.
• Maintain and monitor export dispatch tracking reports to ensure timely movement and delivery of consignments.
• Ensure that Export sales documents submitted by the agent are complete and compliant for Value Added Tax ("VAT") Rule 18 and duty drawback ("DDB") purposes.
• Maintain a record of documents submitted for duty drawback to avoid having time-barred claims.
• Assist in the development and updating of internal customs procedures to ensure efficiency in the management and mitigation of Tax risks associated with exports.
• Continuously engage the customer service section (CSC) to ensure timely export clearance of Sugar.
• Ensure efficient clearing of all business exports and support the commercial team on clearing matters.
• Promote and adhere to ABF procedures, policies and guidelines, including, without limitation, those relating to Safety, Health, Environment, Risk, & Quality, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

Qualifications and Experience

• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Relevant professional certificate, diploma, or degree in Clearing and Forwarding, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A Customs Advanced Diploma will be an added advantage.
• Suitably qualified applicants must provide certificates which have been verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

Experience needed

• 3-5 years' experience.
• Impressive, demonstrable track record and skills / experience gained within a similar position(s), at a similar level.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

• Being a member of the Zambia Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport or Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply or Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants will be an added advantage.

Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance with the Customs and Excise Act and all related tax obligations.
• Prepare and submit accurate export customs entries through ASYCUDA World.
• Ensure that all customs declarations are correctly classified and valued, based on current registration and practice.
• Ensure that payment of export fees to the ZRA are made timely.
• Monitor the correct application of trade agreements and preferential schemes, including SADC, COMESA, and other relevant trade protocols.
• Assist in reviewing and validating supporting documentation before customs declaration submission.
• Coordinate and manage the dispatch of sugar exports from Nakambala to various border points and ensure timely exit clearance of shipments.
• Maintain and monitor export dispatch tracking reports to ensure timely movement and delivery of consignments.
• Ensure that Export sales documents submitted by the agent are complete and compliant for Value Added Tax ("VAT") Rule 18 and duty drawback ("DDB") purposes.
• Maintain a record of documents submitted for duty drawback to avoid having time-barred claims.
• Assist in the development and updating of internal customs procedures to ensure efficiency in the management and mitigation of Tax risks associated with exports.
• Continuously engage the customer service section (CSC) to ensure timely export clearance of Sugar.
• Ensure efficient clearing of all business exports and support the commercial team on clearing matters.
• Promote and adhere to ABF procedures, policies and guidelines, including, without limitation, those relating to Safety, Health, Environment, Risk, & Quality, Competition Law and Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

Skills

Qualifications

• Grade 12 Certificate.
• Relevant professional certificate, diploma, or degree in Clearing and Forwarding, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. A Customs Advanced Diploma will be an added advantage.
• Suitably qualified applicants must provide certificates which have been verified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority (ZAQA).

How to Apply

Job application procedure
Interested in applying for this job? Click here to submit your application now.

Interested candidates should submit their detailed CV, copies of relevant qualifications, registrations and ID/Passport as a single PDF document for the attention of the HR Business Partner.

The subject line should indicate: "Application – Job Title".

Applicants shall be required to complete pre-employment checks, including qualification, credit, security, background, and medical assessments, as part of the recruitment process where applicable.

Should you not hear from Zambia Sugar within 4 weeks after the closing date, please accept that your application was unsuccessful.