Customs Classification Specialist, Asia Pacific

We are a leading chemical company, with the best teams developing intelligent solutions for our customers, and for a sustainable future.

We connect and develop people with diverse talents all over the world. For you, this means a variety of ways to progress.

Not only your performance but also your personality matter to us, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, orientation, and background.  At BASF, careers develop from opportunities. 

Do you want to work with passionate teams, providing excellent business and digital services to the Asia Pacific region?

Do you want an open, supportive, and caring working environment?

Do you view your development needs seriously as we do?

If YES, then take your career to the #NextLevel with BASF!

Objectives of the Position

The Customs Classification Specialist is responsible for accurately classifying imported and exported goods in accordance with the Harmonized System (HS) and other applicable customs regulations. This role ensures compliance with global trade laws, supports duty optimization strategies, and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to maintain accurate product classification records.

Main Areas of Responsibilities and Key Activities

1. Product Classification

• Assign accurate HS codes to products based on detailed technical specifications, product descriptions, and applicable customs rulings.
• Maintain and update the internal classification database (Foreign Trade Classification Cockpit) to reflect changes in SAP Cobalt
• Collaborate with Business Unit, Product Owner, Product Stewardship etc. to gather necessary information for classification

1. Compliance and Documentation

• Ensure all classifications comply with local and international customs regulations (World Customs Organization), including tariff schedules and explanatory notes.
• Prepare and maintain documentation to support classification decisions, including binding rulings and technical justifications.
• Support internal and external audits by providing classification records and rationale.
• Support Customs Compliance related assessment, health checks, audit and its documentation
• Support operational and service documentation including Standard Operating Procedure, Work Instructions, Work Guide

1. Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with customs brokers, logistics providers, BASF country customs custodian and regulatory authorities to resolve classification issues.
• Provide guidance and training to internal teams on classification procedures and regulatory requirements.

1. Risk Management & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and mitigate risks related to misclassification, including potential penalties or delays.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update classification practices accordingly.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives to enhance classification accuracy and efficiency.
• Support any digitalization initiatives or automation for customs process and operations.

Requirements

Education

• Bachelor degree in any Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering or a related field.

Working Experience

• Minimum 2-3 years relevant experience in customs classification or trade compliance.
• Experience in customs, trade law and supply chain operation is an advantage

Technical & Professional Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), and customs valuation principles.
• Experience with classification tools and databases (e.g., WCO, CROSS, customs rulings databases).
• Excellent analytical, research, and documentation skills.
• Detail-oriented with a strong commitment to accuracy and compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).

The BASF Service Hub Kuala Lumpur (BASF Asia-Pacific Service Centre Sdn Bhd) is strategically located in the capital city of Malaysia. Since its inception in 2005, the hub has expanded from 130 employees to over 1,300 employees currently and is expected to keep growing. As an ISO 9001:2005 certified organization, the Service Hub Kuala Lumpur is committed to delivering high quality expertise and services in finance, people, supply chain, EHSQ (environment, health, safety, quality), product safety and digital.

We take pride in providing our business services to BASF companies and affiliates across 20 markets in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. Moreover, we offer our services in 8 different languages to cater to the diverse needs of our stakeholders. Our focus on competency and technology-driven solutions allows us to consistently deliver exceptional services, thereby contributing to the success of our businesses. BASF also has two other regional hubs located in Berlin, Germany, and Montevideo, Uruguay, which cover the European and American regions.

BASF Service Hub Kuala Lumpur was recognized with nine prestigious awards in 2024, reflecting its commitment to creating a vibrant, inclusive, and empowering workplace. These awards include winning the title of Operational Excellence in HR at the GBS Asia Awards 2024, multiple accolades at the Life at Work Awards 2024, where the hub was recognized as First Runner-up for Workplace Excellence (International Organization) and CEO Champion (International Organization), as well as Second Runner-up for Best International Organization. The hub also won the title for Excellence in Learning Tech Advancement System and a Certificate of Excellence in Talent Management and Leadership at the HRD Awards 2024. Furthermore, the hub secured a Bronze Award for Excellence in Digital Transformation at the HR Excellence Awards 2024 and received a Bronze Award for Human Resources Impact and an Honorary Award for Creative Talent Management Impact at the SSON Impact Awards Asia 2024.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. Our ambition: We want to be the preferred chemical company to enable our customers’ green transformation. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Around 112,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises, as core businesses, the segments Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, and Nutrition & Care; our standalone businesses are bundled in the segments Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €65.3 billion in 2024. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at www.basf.com.