Mikel Hong
Los Angeles
Summary
Licensed Customs Broker General Manager/ Import manager of operations with extensive knowledge of import regulations, 19 CFR, HTS classifications, binding rulings, ABI CATAIR (entry summary/cargo release), anti-dumping/countervailing case analysis, import quotas system, food commodities(frozen/fresh), live plants, in-bond(IE, IT, T&E), border crossing entries, participating government agency regulations (FDA, EPA, NHTSA, FWS), Foreign Trade Zone/Bonded warehouse admission/withdrawal, post summary services (amendments, corrections, protests, prior disclosure, reconciliation entries).
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Import Manager
WESTERN OVERSEAS CORPORATION
04.2023 - 11.2023
- Oversee customs brokerage operations for the branch working closely with supervisors, entry writers, and traffic coordinators.
- Run daily reports and uphold branch performance to meet Key Performance Indicator (KPI) requirements.
- Ensure timely clearance, deliveries being managed timely, and, billings processed to adhered with department standards.
- Effectively distribute, establish priorities, and oversee workload as required to meet daily, weekly, monthly objectives.
- Oversee communication within branch shared inboxes and group emails, and assist as needed.
- Provide advisories to clients on classification and regulatory requirements.
- Audit entries prior to ACH payment authorization dates ensure accuracy on valuation, classification, PGA declarations, billings.
- Onboard new clients, and ensure to create SOP, while also maintaining and updating SOP's for existing clients.
- Coordinate cross training for employees.
- Conduct interviews and recruit new employees, while also coordinating and participating in training sessions and closely monitoring the onboarding process.
- Handle time and attendance cards, and ensure proper work coverage during employees out of office time.
- Conduct and create content for weekly department meetings.
- Create a good work environment for all employees by employing positive reinforcement and providing constructive feedback, regardless of their work setting (office, remote, or hybrid) and time zones.
- Review ISF reports and look for trends of late ISF filings amongst clients, and implement necessary corrective measures.
- Review bill/unbilled reports and make sure any pending accounts receivables or payables transaction are promptly addressed.
- Assist the accounting department on collection for outstanding balances from clients and vendors.
- Ensure timely payments and oversee branch payment process to trucking companies.
Customs Compliance Manager
FNS, INC.
02.2023 - 04.2023
- Assisted the operations teams to address compliance and regulatory inquiries across a wide range of commodities.
- Conducted in depth research on ruling and publications pertaining to various aspects of regulatory compliance.
- Managed the processing and submission for manufacturing drawbacks.
- Provide consulting services for CTPAT applications, revalidation, and annual renewals.
- Provide consulting services on FTZ and bonded warehouse benefits and application procedures.
- Actively contributed to sales and marketing efforts within the department.
- Liaison with Customs and Border Protection as needed.
- Stay up to date with current industry news, and distribute memos and publications of policy changes, to team leader.
General Manager (CUSTOMS BROKERAGE)
FRONTIER LOGISTICS SERVICES
08.2001 - 02.2023
- Began career as a customs broker entry writer, progressed in position to assistant manager, manager, senior manager, to currently general manager of operations for the customs brokerage department
- Responsible for customs clearance operations to be in compliance with government regulations, and company procedures
- Assist new and existing clients with import procedures, and regulatory compliance with their commodity
- Committee member for various groups in the LACBFFA (Los Angeles Customs Broker and Freight Forwarders Association) Also attend weekly PCC (Pacific Coast Council) meetings
- Collaborated with coworkers and assisted them with trouble shooting
- Trained and taught employees for the development of their careers
- Worked on entries clearance from A to Z, and continue to do hands on customs clearance to this day
- Collaborated with other departments in various company projects
- Worked on calculating service rates, quotations with new and existing clients
- Managed implementation of new ABI softwares working closely with the IT department, and IT consultants
- (data transfer, system setups, accounting charge codes, chart of accounts...)
- Development of sales, and marketing strategies both for the short and long term goals of the company
- Analysis and reporting of financial earnings for the department
- ABI software experience: Cargowise, Blujay(formerly Kewill), ATS.
Education
ECONOMICS -
University of California - Irvine
Irvine, CA04.2001
Skills
- Management
- Leadership
- Microsoft Office
- Comprehensive Understanding Of Supply Chain Operations
- Performance Monitoring And Evaluation (KPI)
- Understanding Of Data Transfer (EDI, SQL, XML, API)
- Understanding Of Lean Six Sigma
Certification
Customs Broker License, 04/01/15
Languages
Portuguese
Korean
Spanish
Personal Information
Title: General Manager / Import manager / Customs Compliance Manager (Customs Brokerage)
Timeline
Import Manager
WESTERN OVERSEAS CORPORATION
04.2023 - 11.2023
Customs Compliance Manager
FNS, INC.
02.2023 - 04.2023
General Manager (CUSTOMS BROKERAGE)
FRONTIER LOGISTICS SERVICES
08.2001 - 02.2023
ECONOMICS -
University of California - Irvine
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