Trade Compliance Specialist

Actylis is a global solutions provider with over 75 years of experience, specializing in streamlining the management of critical ingredients and raw materials for our business partners.

We offer both sourcing and manufacturing solutions tailored to meet diverse and evolving needs, ensuring a reliable, agile, and secure supply network. Our commitment to customization allows us to create flexible solutions, whether it’s a unique specification, custom packaging, or tailored logistics strategies.

With deep expertise in quality and regulatory compliance, sourcing and logistics management, analytical services, and R&D support, we reduce complexities and mitigate risks, empowering our partners to focus on growing their business.

In furtherance of that goal, Actylis is seeking new members of the team. This expansion, coupled with a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for challenge and growth, make Actylis the ideal place to work and thrive. We hope you’ll consider joining us!

Location:Bangalore    

Position Summary
The Trade Compliance Specialist is responsible for accurate product classification under the Harmonized System and applicable national tariff schedules, determination of customs duty rates, and maintenance of defensible trade compliance records for the global product portfolio. Based in Bangalore, the role serves as a subject matter expert and business partner to Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Finance, and Operations.

As the organization’s subject matter expert, the role combines technical product evaluation with customs regulatory interpretation and serves as a trusted business partner to Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Finance, and Operations. The specialist independently resolves complex classification matters, establishes practical governance, and supports timely commercial decisions while ensuring that classifications, duty treatments, country-of-origin determinations, and related master data are accurate, consistent, and audit-ready.

Key Responsibilities

HS / HTS Classification
•    Determine and maintain accurate HS codes and country-specific tariff classifications, including India Customs Tariff classifications, HTSUS, EU CN/TARIC, UK tariff codes, Canadian tariff classifications, and Schedule B codes, as applicable.
•    Review product composition, CAS information, Safety Data Sheets, specifications, manufacturing processes, technical literature, and intended use to establish a defensible classification.
•    Apply the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System, Section and Chapter Notes, Explanatory Notes, and relevant customs rulings.
•    Prepare and retain documented classification rationales, supporting evidence, approvals, and decision history.

Duty Rate & Trade Measure Determination
•    Support Supply Chain in the determination of duties, tariffs and/or trade compliance measures as required.

Country of Origin & Customs Compliance
•    Support non-preferential and preferential country-of-origin determinations, including rules of origin and substantial transformation assessments, as required.
•    Review supplier declarations, certificates of origin, bills of material, and manufacturing information for completeness and consistency, as required.
•    Partner with customs brokers and legal or external trade specialists on complex cases, binding rulings, audits, disclosures, and corrective actions.
•    Monitor customs and tariff changes and communicate business impact, required actions, and effective dates to relevant stakeholders.

Governance, Systems & Business Partnership
•    Own classification and duty-rate governance, including procedures, work instructions, approval controls, and periodic review requirements.
•    Maintain accurate trade compliance data in ERP and related master-data systems, with traceability to approved supporting records.
•    Provide classification and duty guidance during new product introduction, supplier onboarding, sourcing changes, and market expansion.
•    Develop practical training and decision tools for Regulatory, Supply Chain, Procurement, Sales, Customer Service, and site teams.
•    Identify opportunities to standardize, automate, and improve classification workflows while maintaining appropriate expert review and oversight.

Required Qualifications
•    Bachelor's degree in International Trade, Customs Administration, Supply Chain, Business, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline.
•    At least 7 years of relevant experience in trade compliance, customs compliance, global trade management, customs brokerage, or a closely related field.
•    Demonstrated hands-on experience assigning HS or tariff classifications and determining customs duty rates.
•    Working knowledge of the Harmonized System, General Rules of Interpretation, tariff schedules, customs rulings, country of origin, customs valuation, and import compliance controls.
•    Ability to interpret technical product information and translate it into well-supported customs classification decisions.
•    Experience working with customs brokers and cross-functional business teams in a multi-country environment.
•    Strong written and verbal English communication skills, with the ability to explain complex requirements in clear business terms.
•    High attention to detail, sound judgment, and disciplined documentation practices.

Preferred Qualifications
•    Experience in chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients, excipients, nutraceuticals, food ingredients, cosmetics, life sciences, or specialty materials.
•    Knowledge of the Indian Customs Tariff, Customs Act requirements, DGFT framework, and import/export processes in India.
•    Exposure to HTSUS, EU CN/TARIC, UK Trade Tariff, Canadian Customs Tariff, USMCA/CUSMA, and other preferential trade programs.
•    Knowledge of anti-dumping and countervailing duties, Section 301, Section 232, sanctions, and other trade-remedy programs.
•    Professional certification such as Certified Customs Specialist, Certified Trade Compliance Specialist, Licensed Customs Broker, or equivalent regional credential.
•    Experience with ERP, global trade management, product lifecycle, regulatory information, or master-data platforms.
•    Experience implementing classification databases, workflow automation, analytics, or digital trade compliance tools.

Core Competencies

Technical & Analytical        
Classification research
Regulatory interpretation
Product and composition analysis
Duty and tariff analysis
Risk-based decision making    

Governance & Execution
Audit-ready documentation
Master-data discipline
Process ownership
Change monitoring
Continuous improvement    

Influence & Technical Leadership
Technical leadership
Business partnership
Stakeholder influence
Training and knowledge sharing
Global cross-functional teamwork

Individual Contributor Scope
•    No direct reports or formal people-management accountability.
•    Acts as the primary technical authority for complex HS classification, duty determination, and related customs matters.
•    Works with a high degree of autonomy and is accountable for the quality, consistency, and defensibility of trade compliance decisions.
•    Leads through subject matter expertise, governance ownership, stakeholder influence, training, and cross-functional problem solving.
•    Guides and mentors colleagues on trade compliance requirements without holding line-management responsibility.

Actylis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Actylis US does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit, and business need.