Trade Compliance Specialist (Global Customs & Duty Operations)

About Nivoda

Nivoda is a rapidly scaling global B2B diamond and gemstone marketplace connecting jewellery retailers with competitive, high-quality suppliers worldwide. Processing $300M+ in annual transactions and operating across multiple regions, Nivoda is transforming a $350B industry that has historically been slow to modernise.

About the Role

As Nivoda expands into jewellery and new markets, the complexity of moving products across borders has grown rapidly. Loose diamonds have historically had simple customs treatment, but jewellery involves tariff regimes and duty rules, requiring a dedicated role focused on execution. This position will prepare documentation, apply classifications, manage broker relationships, and own the duty drawback program end-to-end. Legal & Compliance handles policy, but this role owns execution.

This is an individual contributor role with high ownership—you’ll build the operating rhythm from scratch.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare all shipment documentation and commercial invoices, ensuring accurate retrieval from brokers and carriers, and storing them centrally on the platform.

• Apply HTS classifications and country-of-origin determinations approved by Legal & Compliance, consistently across shipments and systems in partnership with product teams.

• Manage day-to-day customs broker relationships, coordinating clearance, reviewing broker performance, and aligning practices with the classification framework.

• Monitor duties as part of landed shipping costs, catch unexpected outcomes, and file claims with customs brokers when errors occur.

• Resolve routine customs queries during clearance and ensure accurate declarations for import and export.

• Own the duty drawback program day-to-day, acting as the internal point of contact with Livingstone, and preparing/validating claims before submission.

• Monitor the US import bond and maintain compliance, critical for business continuity in the largest trade lane.

• Partner with manufacturers (starting with India) to ensure their export documentation and processes support compliant, duty-efficient shipping.

• Identify and act on duty-saving opportunities through free trade agreements (e.g., India-UK, EU-UK, EU-India, UAE-India).

• Build trade compliance processes as the jewellery business scales into new markets, escalating complex questions to Legal & Compliance.

Requirements

• Proven experience in global trade compliance or customs operations, with a track record in US, UK, and EU import/export.

• Extensive US import-export experience is required.

• Direct experience managing customs broker relationships and shipment documentation at volume.

• Experience filing duty drawback or tariff reclaim claims.

• Comfortable working as an individual contributor with autonomy.

• Detail-oriented and process-minded—you’ll establish how this works at Nivoda, not just follow an existing playbook.

• Based in the EU or UK, with flexibility to work across time zones as the company scales globally.

• Strong stakeholder management skills, coordinating external brokers/carriers/manufacturers and internal teams (Legal, Fulfilment, Ops).

• A commercial mindset, connecting compliance work to cost savings and business impact.

Nice to Have

• Experience with free trade agreements and preferential duty schemes (e.g., India–UK, EU–UK, EU–India, UAE–India).

• Experience in jewellery, diamonds, gemstones, or high-value/luxury goods logistics.

• Experience with Indian export processes.

• Background in a fast-scaling, international e-commerce or marketplace business.

Culture & Benefits

Nivoda fosters a collaborative, high-growth environment where employees can evolve professionally and personally. Enjoy a dynamic, low-hierarchy culture with intellectually challenging work that drives Nivoda’s success.

Benefits: Flexible working, remote work, growth opportunities, unlimited holiday allowance, and the chance to join during exponential expansion.

Equal Opportunity

Nivoda is committed to diversity and inclusion. Skills can be learned, and embracing diversity is invaluable. If you don’t meet all requirements, apply anyway!