PEZA and Customs Specialist

The PEZA & Customs Specialist serves as the designated point person and subject matter expert for all Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) regulatory activities within the organization. This role is responsible for the end-to-end management, processing, and review of all documents pertaining to importation and exportation of materials, components, finished goods, and related consignments in strict compliance with PEZA regulations, Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), and applicable international trade standards.

He/She will coordinate with PEZA zone administrators, accredited customs brokers, freight forwarders, couriers, government agencies, internal departments, and offshore principals to ensure seamless, compliant, and timely movement of goods. This position requires in-depth knowledge of PEZA rules and regulations, BOC processes, and trade compliance frameworks including ESGaligned supply chain requirements. The role will report to Supply Chain Manager.

Job responsibilities:

PEZA Farm-ln & Farm-Out Operations

• Process and coordinate all farm-in (receipt from other PEZA-registered entities) and farm-out (transfer to other PEZA locators or domestic market) transactions in accordance with PEZA regulations.
• Prepare, review, and submit all required PEZA permits, endorsements, and supporting documentation for farm-in/farm-out movements.
• Monitor farm-in/farm-out transaction timelines and ensure completion within PEZA prescribed periods.
• Maintain accurate records and logbook entries for all farm-in and farm-out activities.  Coordinate with receiving/issuing PEZA-registered entities and internal departments to align shipment schedules and documentation.
• Track all goods subject to farm-in and farm-out and reconcile inventory movements with ERP records.

Inventory & Production ('P) Coordination

• Coordinate with PEZA authorities for Inventory and Production (IP) reporting, ensuring timely and accurate submission of periodic IP reports.

• Reconcile inventory records and consumption data with PEZA-required declarations.

• Facilitate PEZA inventory audit activities and respond to queries or findings raised by PEZA examiners.

• Maintain a comprehensive and updated IP master file that accurately reflects all raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods subject to PEZA monitoring.               Identify discrepancies between actual inventory and PEZA records and coordinate corrective adjustments.

• Liaise with production, warehouse, and finance teams to gather accurate consumption and production data for IP reporting.

  ESG & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure adherence to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards as they apply to PEZA and customs activities, including proper waste disposal, imporUexport of hazardous materials, and sustainability reporting requirements.

• Monitor compliance with PEZA ESG compliance programs and mandatory zone policies.

• Prepare and submit ESG-related returns and declarations to PEZA as required.  Coordinate with internal QMS, EHS, and regulatory teams to integrate ESG compliance into import/export workflows.

• Stay updated on PEZA and government issuances pertaining to ESG obligations and communicate changes to stakeholders.

• Maintain documentary evidence of ESG compliance activities for audit and regulatory review purposes.

Customs Processing & Coordination

• Oversee end-to-end customs processing for all importation and exportation of goods, including but not limited to raw materials, finished goods, equipment, spare parts, and promotional items.
• Coordinate with accredited customs brokers, freight forwarders, and BOC examiners to ensure timely and accurate filing and release of shipments.
• Review and verify all customs entries, import entries, export declarations, and related customs documents prior to submission.
• Monitor customs clearance timelines, proactively resolve delays, and escalate issues as necessary.
• Maintain up-to-date customs filing records, reference numbers, and duty/tax assessments.
• Ensure proper tariff classification (AHTN/HS codes), valuation, and origin declarations in all customs filings.
• Liaise with the BOC One Stop Shop (OSS) or PEZA customs division for zone-specific entry and exit procedures.
• Manage relationships with accredited customs brokers and evaluate their performance.

Export Declaration & Documentation

• Prepare, review, and process export declarations for all outbound shipments, ensuring accuracy and completeness prior to submission to BOC/PEZA.

• Coordinate with shipping lines, air freight carriers, and freight forwarders on export booking, cargo manifests, and loading confirmations.

• Ensure compliance with export control regulations, certificate of origin requirements, and applicable free trade agreement (FTA) documentation.

• Issue and validate export permits, PEZA endorsements, and related clearances required for the release of goods.

• Track export shipments from the point of loading through final confirmation of departure and update internal records accordingly.

• Coordinate with customer service and logistics teams to align export schedules with order fulfillment timelines.

Document Control & Review

• Act as the primary reviewer of all import and export documents including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, airway bills, certificates of origin, import entry declarations, export declarations, and PEZA-required certificates.

• Validate completeness, accuracy, and consistency of trade documents against purchase orders, delivery orders, and ERP data.

• Establish and maintain a systematic trade document filing system, both physical and electronic, ensuring retrieval readiness for audit purposes.

• Coordinate document corrections and re-issuance with suppliers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers when discrepancies are identified.

• Ensure all documents comply with ISO 13485:2016 document control requirements and applicable QMS procedures.

• Archive and manage trade document records in accordance with PEZA and BOC statutory retention requirements.

Regulatory Liaison & Government Affairs

• Serve as the primary liaison between the company and PEZA zone administrators, BOC officials, and other relevant government agencies (BOC, DTI, DENR, FDA where applicable).
• Attend PEZA locator meetings, zone consultations, and regulatory briefings and report updates to management.
• Monitor and interpret new PEZA circulars, BOC customs administrative orders (CAOs), and relevant legislation affecting the company's trade compliance posture.
• Coordinate PEZA-required permits, endorsements, and approvals, including PEZA Board Resolutions and amendments to Registered Activity.
• Support any customs audit, PEZA examination, or post-clearance audit (PCA) conducted by authorities.
• Facilitate PEZA registration renewals, certification updates, and amendment filings as required.

Reporting & Analytics

• Prepare and submit regular internal reports on the status of import/export shipments, customs clearance timelines, and PEZA compliance activities.
• Generate monthly PEZA inventory and production reports, customs duty and tax summary, and ESG compliance dashboards.
• Provide analysis of import costs, duties, and taxes and recommend process improvements or cost-saving opportunities.
• Maintain and update a PEZA compliance calendar covering all submission deadlines, permit renewals, and audit schedules.
• Report non-conformances, regulatory findings, or compliance gaps to the Supply Chain Manager and QMS team for CAPA processing.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Warehouse, Procurement, Finance, and Quality teams to align trade compliance activities with operational requirements.
• Coordinate with the Warehouse Supervisor on inbound/outbound logistics staging, proper labeling, and identification of PEZA-registered goods.
• Support the QMS/RAQA team in maintaining compliance with ISO 13485:2016 requirements applicable to product importation, identification, preservation, and distribution.
• Brief internal stakeholders on regulatory changes affecting import/export operations and provide guidance on procedural adjustments.
• Participate in internal audits, management reviews, and CAPA activities related to PEZA and customs compliance

Experience and Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Customs Administration, International Trade, Business
• Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Post-graduate studies or units in Customs Administration, Trade Logistics, or International Business is an advantage.
• Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in PEZA operations, customs brokerage, freight forwarding, or trade compliance in a PEZA-registered company. Experience in a medical device, pharmaceutical, or regulated manufacturing environment is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in processing BOC import/export entries, PEZA permits, and farm-in/farm-out transactions. Prior experience handling ISO 13485 or GDP-regulated import/export documentation is an advantage
• Experience coordinating with government agencies including BOC, PEZA, DTI, and freight forwarders.
• Experience using PEZA's e-Services portal and BOC ACOSNASP electronic filing systems
• Completed formal training on PEZA Rules & Regulations       Certified Customs Broker (CCB) licensed by PRC