Classification Specialist, Customs Compliance

About the ALDO Group 

 

Specializing in stylish and accessible footwear, handbags, and accessories, the ALDO Group has been around for more than 50 years. With over 1,500 stores in more than 100 countries, we operate under two signature brands, ALDO and Call It Spring, and we are the core footwear partner for Sperry in North America. The ALDO Group is also an industry-recognized wholesale licensed partner, specializing in the design, sourcing, and distribution of fashion footwear, handbags, and accessories. Our diverse portfolio includes household brands such as ROXY, Brooks Brothers, Ted Baker, Hunter, and G.H.BASS. In addition to our head office in Montreal, the ALDO Group maintains international offices in Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.aldogroup.com. 

 

Enjoy meaningful recognition, flexible work options, great on‑site perks, generous discounts, and the pride of being part of a brand that leads with people, the planet, and its partners at heart.  

 

Overview

 

 

Reporting to the Customs Compliance & Operations Senior Manager, the Classification Specialist plays a key role within the Customs team. This position supports the implementation, maintenance, and verification of customs-related processes, classifications, and documentation in close collaboration with internal Procurement and Product Development teams.The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, curious, and results-driven, with a strong desire to learn and continuously improve customs compliance practices in a fast-paced, global environment.

 

 

Responsibilities

 

Daily Operations & Execution

 

• Validate complete and accurate customs descriptions for all products imported by ALDO, including US HTS codes, user-defined attributes, tariff treatments, required documentation, and Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements.
• Identify incomplete or conflicting product information and coordinate with Product Development to obtain the details required for classification.
• Assign and maintain HTS classifications for Canada (CA), the United States (US), the European Union (EU), and China (CN).
• Support the timely resolution of classification-related entry issues, customs broker inquiries, shipment holds, and requests from customs authorities.

 

Reporting, Analytics & Data Integrity

 

• Maintain, analyze, and ensure the accuracy of HTS classification and customs description master data to support compliance with CBSA and CBP requirements.
• Maintain, update, and publish Duty Rate Manuals for use by Product Development and related teams.

 

Process Improvement 

 

• Conduct classification research using CBSA, CBP, and other government or customs authority websites to identify rulings, tariff interpretations, and regulatory updates.
• Participate in and support classification-related projects and initiatives within the Customs Compliance team.

 

Professional Development & Team Collaboration

 

• Collaborate with International Customs teams to ensure alignment on EU and China classifications for new products prior to purchase.
• Provide guidance and training to Product Development teams on customs descriptions, terminology, and US HTS classification requirements.
• Act as the subject matter expert for CA and US tariff classification, responding to internal inquiries and supporting HTS-related audits.
• Escalate high-risk, ambiguous, or potentially inconsistent classifications to Customs Compliance management or external specialists when required.
• Maintain current knowledge of tariff classification principles, General Rules of Interpretation, explanatory notes, customs valuation interactions, and relevant Partner Government Agency requirements.

 

Qualifications & Experience

 

• College diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Customs, International Trade, or a related field an asset.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in customs compliance and HTS classification.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and methodical in approach.
• Strong initiative with effective problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfortable working both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Knowledge of SAP FMS and PLM systems is considered an asset