Port Operations & Import Clearance Specialist

About the role

BYD Europe is looking for an experienced Import Clearance or Logistics professional to take ownership of vessel discharge coordination, customs clearance and post-clearance handover at Koper Port, while also supporting operations through an Italian backup port such as Trieste or Venice. The role is highly visible in the supply chain, working with port authorities, terminal operators, customs brokers, carriers, suppliers and internal teams, and plays a key part in business continuity and contingency planning.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate vessel discharge at Koper Port, including schedules, berth allocations, discharge progress and cargo yard placement, and build relationships with terminal operators and port authorities.
• Coordinate operations with an Italian backup port and activate the contingency process during congestion, strikes or disruptions.
• Monitor and document cargo damage, overloading and under-loading, and coordinate surveys and claims with shipping lines and terminals.
• Oversee customs brokers at both ports, manage pre-clearance, ensure compliance with ICS2, UCC, EORI, HS classification, valuation and EU customs rules, and maintain an electronic customs archive.
• Support compliance reviews on dual-use goods, restricted products and sanctioned entities.
• Monitor EU TARIC updates, anti-dumping duties and FTAs, analyse their cost impact, recommend actions to the Tax team, and support VAT deferral procedures.
• Provide backup support to the Transport Dispatcher, coordinate carriers on routes, availability and costs, and step in during high workload or dispatcher absence.
• Maintain supplier relationships, the supplier contract database and coverage at both ports, and support 1-2 assistants with documentation and reconciliation.
• Maintain an end-to-end tracking dashboard, prepare monthly cost and performance analyses, compare Koper with the backup port, review supplier invoices and prepare KPI reports and quarterly tariff and cost recommendations.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree or higher in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain or a related field.
• 2+ years of import clearance experience within EU ports; experience with Koper and/or Italian ports is highly valued.
• Practical understanding of vessel discharge and port terminal operations.
• Experience with customs brokers, carriers, terminals or port authorities.
• Fluent English; knowledge of Slovenian, Italian or Hungarian official correspondence is an advantage.

Required skills

• Knowledge of EU customs regulations, UCC, ICS2, HS codes, EORI and VAT deferral (PVA).
• Familiarity with transport dispatching and European road transport.
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.