| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Supply Chain |
| Level | Manager |
| Reports to | Head of Supply Chain |
| Direct reports | EXIM Executive |
| Experience | 6 to 10 years in EXIM or international logistics |
EXIM Manager job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: EXIM Manager
Department: Supply Chain
Reports to: Head of Supply Chain
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
An EXIM Manager runs a company's imports and exports end to end. They handle customs clearance, shipping and freight, export and import documentation, licences and incentives, and compliance with foreign trade and customs rules. The role sits in supply chain or commercial operations. A good one keeps shipments moving through customs without delay or penalty, keeps documentation and compliance clean, claims the export incentives the company is due, manages freight cost and forwarders well, and keeps international orders flowing on time.
Key responsibilities
- Manage end-to-end import and export shipments, from booking to delivery.
- Handle customs clearance and coordinate with customs brokers and authorities.
- Ensure correct export and import documentation for every shipment.
- Manage freight, shipping lines and forwarders on cost, space and schedule.
- Handle licences, incentives and schemes under the foreign trade policy.
- Ensure compliance with customs, foreign trade and export control rules.
- Classify goods correctly and manage duty, drawback and refund claims.
- Track shipments and resolve delays, holds and documentation issues.
- Coordinate with sales, production and finance on international orders.
- Lead EXIM executives and keep records ready for audit.
Requirements
- Degree in commerce, logistics or international business
- A diploma or certification in EXIM or foreign trade
- Solid experience in import and export operations
- 6 to 10 years in EXIM or international logistics
KRAs and KPIs for a EXIM Manager
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Clearance timeliness | Shipments cleared through customs within the target time, with no avoidable demurrage |
| Documentation accuracy | Export and import documents accurate, with zero shipments held for errors |
| Compliance | Full compliance with customs and foreign trade rules, with no penalties |
| Freight cost | Freight and logistics cost kept within budget and negotiated down |
| Incentive claims | Eligible export incentives and drawbacks claimed in full and on time |
| On time shipments | Export orders shipped by their committed dates |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: ICEGATE and customs portals, DGFT portal, Freight forwarder systems, ERP such as SAP, MS Excel.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Supply Chain, International Logistics Head
Interview questions for a EXIM Manager
- How would you speed up customs clearance for regular import shipments?
- How do you make sure export documentation is right the first time?
- How do you keep the company compliant with foreign trade rules?
- How do you claim duty drawback and export incentives?
- How do you negotiate freight rates with shipping lines and forwarders?
- A shipment is held at customs. How do you resolve it?
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What does an EXIM manager do?
An EXIM manager runs a company's imports and exports end to end. They handle customs clearance, shipping and freight, export and import documentation, licences and incentives, and compliance with foreign trade and customs rules. They keep shipments moving through customs without delay or penalty and international orders flowing on time.
What does EXIM stand for?
EXIM stands for export and import. An EXIM manager handles the movement of goods across borders: exporting the company's products and importing raw materials or goods. The role covers customs clearance, documentation, freight, and compliance with foreign trade policy and customs regulations, along with claiming export incentives the company is entitled to.
What qualifications do you need for an EXIM role?
A degree in commerce, logistics or international business, plus a diploma or certification in EXIM or foreign trade, is the usual path. Solid experience in import and export operations, knowledge of customs procedures, HS classification and foreign trade policy, and attention to detail on documentation are what employers look for.