Sakhumuzi Nguza
Johannesburg,South Africa
Summary
Experienced professional with focus on customs supervision and compliance. Capable of streamlining operations and ensuring adherence to regulations through strong analytical skills and attention to detail. Proven track record of improving efficiency and mitigating risks in import/export processes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
2026
2026
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Customs Supervisor
Pro-Logistics Forwarding South Africa
Johannesburg
06.2024 - 10.2024
- Develop opportunities and apply for customs simplifications on behalf of traders including Inward Processing, Outward Processing, Customs Warehousing, Approved Exporter, New VAT/Duty Deferment application, Returned Goods Relief, VAT postponed accounting
- Respond to customs related enquiries including commodity coding, trade preference, duties, valuation and customs transit
- Managing the bond Store register for all warehouse entries/Temp Import Report/Provisional Payment report to allow for liquidation application
- Renewal of the Customs Agent license and Bond Store Extensions
- Application of Trade Agreement Certificates (SADC/EURO 1,SACUM)
- Creating client profile to maintain consistency in terms of clearance
- Applications of Permits (ITAC permits) and guiding customers on how to apply for Permits covered by the Prohibited and Restricted list
- Management of RIB(Removal in Bond) and Removal in Transit
- Customs Refund applications
- Quality Assurance for Customs entries processed
- Maintaining the penalty register to identify areas of improvement
- Attending to customs desk audits and physical exam stops
- Introducing effective and Efficient Strategies to meet the customers expectation/Service levels
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Applications for accreditations
- Ensured smooth operations by supervising daily customs activities.
- Facilitated timely clearance of goods for efficient service delivery.
- Maintained compliance with customs regulations by conducting regular checks and audits.
- Coordinated with various departments to streamline the import and export process.
- Resolved disputes efficiently, promoting a harmonious work environment.
- Improved team performance through effective leadership and guidance.
- Conducted training sessions for staff development and knowledge enhancement.
- Managed complex issues effectively, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Kept abreast of changes in customs regulations, ensuring full comprehension across the team.
- Assisted in policy formulation for better operational standards.
- Provided support during peak periods to maintain high service levels.
- Mitigated potential risks by enforcing strict adherence to customs rules and guidelines.
- Handled escalations professionally, maintaining good relationships with clients.
- Enhanced team morale through recognition of individual achievements and contributions.
Senior Customs Entry Clerk
BAL SA (PTY)LTD
Johannesburg, Jet Park
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Customs registration and Licensing (License Renewals)
- Application of deferment and deferment increases for different offices
- Framing customs entries of all modes of transport (Air ,Sea , Road ,Rail)
- Customs Refund Applications
- Maintenance of the Temp import Report
- Finalizing pended cases
- Allocations/distribution of work
- Daily performance reporting
- Application of TDN's
- Providing guidance and support to customers on customs related queries
- Expedited the release of goods from customs by preparing and submitting necessary documentation.
- Facilitated international trade for clients through accurate classification of goods.
- Provided advice on tariff preferences, enabling cost-effective import and export operations.
- Conducted thorough research to keep abreast with changing customs regulations, ensuring compliance at all times.
- Streamlined processing of duty refunds, resulting in increased client satisfaction.
- Analyzed commercial invoices meticulously, ensuring accuracy in duties payable.
- Simplified the customs clearance process for clients by offering expert guidance on legal requirements.
Customs Clearance Team Leader
FedEx Express South Africa
Johannesburg
04.2021 - 08.2023
- Maintaining Visibility and control by recording teams' output/input and managing team performance
- Managing the stops team process
- Applied effective time management techniques to meet tight deadlines
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Improved customer satisfaction through close collaboration with the team.
- Encouraged open communication, fostering a positive work culture.
- Provided comprehensive onboarding training to reduce learning curve for new hires.
- Ensured adherence to company policy by all team members, maintaining professionalism at all times.
- Coordinated daily tasks, ensuring smooth workflow within the team.
- Resolved conflicts effectively, promoting harmony within the workforce.
- Conducted regular performance reviews to identify areas of improvement for each team member.
- Devised actionable plans towards achieving set business objectives within deadlines.
- Prioritised tasks according to urgency and importance, optimising workload allocation among team members.
- Reported on team performance to higher leadership, proactively offering action for areas of improvement.
- Trained staff to resolve complaints appropriately to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Professionally handled difficult customer complaints and objections to maintain first-class customer service standards.
- Led team of 32 to achieve KPI targets and successfully complete assigned projects.
- Coordinated hiring, recruitment and training strategies to build successful administrative team.
Customs Stops Clerk
UPS SCS South Africa
Johannesburg
01.2016 - 11.2019
- Liaising with customer for supporting documents as requested by customs and any other government agency and submitting them to customs for a review
- Submission of Standard documents for shipments detained to other government agencies (Port Health, State VET,SABS,NRCS,DAFF)
- Ensuring daily customer contact to customers and giving them the latest of their shipments (Telephone and Email)
- Processing of Voucher of corrections as per customs request
- Attending to all Customs stop types (High Value Stops, Low value Stops, Customs Border Control Unit Stops, Other government agencies)
- Guiding and educating customers on customs clearance and application of relevant permits for importing their goods
- Applying for Provisional Payments and liquidation
Import/Export Adjustment Specialist
UPS SCS South Africa
Johannesburg
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Processing of Voucher of corrections for under entries, Change of importer and exporter details, amendment of tariff heading, Amendment of customs value, Amendment of Customs procedure codes (Substitutions), processing of cancellation VOC's
- Attending to Letter of intents received from customs and ensure cases are closed within the deadlines
- Attending to customs pended cases that are still active and ensure that they are closed
- Submission of mitigation letter on penalties imposed by customs
Import and Export Billing Specialist
UPS SCS South Africa
Johannesburg
01.2012 - 12.2014
- Generating import and export invoices shipments and ensuring that all service charges related to a specific shipment are added on the invoice
- Generating Credit notes
- Sending Invoices and customs documents to customers based on request from internal and external customers
- Generating a report for shipments not invoiced and ensure that they are invoice so that we do not have a carry over for the next day
- Pulling a weekly report for freight collect shipments and ensure that the freight amounts has been invoiced
Education
International Trade and Administration - Logistics
UNISA
01.2019 - 10.2024
Customs Compliance Level 3 - Logistics
Logtrain
Supply Chain Management Level 5 - Supply Chain
Metro Minds
07.2021 - 07.2022
Customs Compliance Advanced - Logistics
Logtrain
Skills
- Customs Clearance Leadership
- Team development
- Coaching
- Performance management
- Customer Relationship Management
- Client acquisition
- Retention
- Growth
- Communication
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Presentation skills
- Technological Tools
- Microsoft Office
- Compu clearing Application
- Cargo wise Clearance Application
- BOSS Clearance Application
- Shipshape Clearance Application
- Reporting
- Customs Sufficient Knowledge Test
Custom
Available upon request.
Timeline
Customs Supervisor
Pro-Logistics Forwarding South Africa
06.2024 - 10.2024
Senior Customs Entry Clerk
BAL SA (PTY)LTD
08.2023 - 05.2024
Supply Chain Management Level 5 - Supply Chain
Metro Minds
07.2021 - 07.2022
Customs Clearance Team Leader
FedEx Express South Africa
04.2021 - 08.2023
International Trade and Administration - Logistics
UNISA
01.2019 - 10.2024
Customs Stops Clerk
UPS SCS South Africa
01.2016 - 11.2019
Import/Export Adjustment Specialist
UPS SCS South Africa
01.2015 - 12.2015
Import and Export Billing Specialist
UPS SCS South Africa
01.2012 - 12.2014
Customs Compliance Level 3 - Logistics
Logtrain
Customs Compliance Advanced - Logistics
Logtrain
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