Location: Koper, Slovenia
Travel: Occasional travel to the Italian backup port may be required
Employment: Full-time

Join a role where your expertise makes a real difference

Are you an experienced Import Clearance or Logistics professional who enjoys working in a fast-paced, international environment where no two days are the same?

We are looking for a Port Operations & Import Clearance Specialist to take ownership of vessel discharge coordination, customs clearance, and post-clearance handover at Koper Port, while also supporting operations through an Italian backup port such as Trieste or Venice.

This is a highly visible role within the supply chain, where you will work closely with port authorities, terminal operators, customs brokers, carriers, suppliers, and internal teams to keep cargo moving efficiently from vessel arrival through final delivery.

You will also play an important role in business continuity and contingency planning, helping ensure that operations can quickly switch to an alternative port if Koper experiences congestion or disruption.

What you will be responsible for

🚢 Port & Vessel Operations

• Coordinate vessel discharge operations at Koper Port, including vessel schedules, berth allocations, discharge progress, and cargo yard placement.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with terminal operators and port authorities.

• Coordinate operations with an Italian backup port, such as Trieste or Venice.

• Monitor and document cargo damage, overloading, under-loading, and other discharge irregularities.

• Coordinate surveys and documentation with shipping lines and terminals and support the claims process when required.

• Activate and coordinate the backup-port contingency process during congestion, strikes, or other operational disruptions.

📋 Customs Clearance & Compliance

• Coordinate and oversee customs brokers at both the primary and backup ports.

• Manage the pre-clearance process to support fast, efficient cargo release.

• Ensure compliance with ICS2, UCC, EORI, HS classification, valuation, and other EU customs requirements.

• Coordinate customs inspections and maintain accurate post-clearance documentation.

• Support compliance reviews related to dual-use goods, restricted products, and sanctioned entities.

• Maintain a complete electronic customs archive with the required traceability.

💶 Tariffs, VAT & Cost Optimization

• Monitor relevant EU TARIC updates, anti-dumping duties, and Free Trade Agreement developments.

• Analyse the potential cost impact of customs and tariff changes and prepare recommendations for the Tax team.

• Ensure consistent implementation of VAT deferral procedures across both ports.

• Support accurate customs declarations and transfer of relevant documentation to Tax/Finance.

• Prepare regular cost analyses and identify opportunities for cost optimization and process improvement.

🚛 Transport & Supply Chain Coordination

As part of the role, you will also provide backup support to the Transport Dispatcher.

• Understand transport routes from Koper and the Italian backup port to Slovenia and the Győr area in Hungary.

• Coordinate with carriers regarding availability, routes, transit times, and costs.

• Step in during periods of high workload or dispatcher absence.

• Coordinate pre-arrival notifications and warehousing confirmations for shipments heading to Győr.

• Monitor last-mile transport capacity and proactively identify potential capacity risks.

🤝 Supplier & Stakeholder Management

• Maintain strong relationships with customs brokers, carriers, terminals, port authorities, and other key suppliers.

• Maintain the supplier contract database and monitor upcoming renewals.

• Ensure adequate supplier coverage at both the primary and backup ports.

• Work closely with Tax, Finance, Headquarters, Transport, Warehouse, and Yard Management teams.

• Coordinate and support 1–2 assistants responsible for documentation and reconciliation.

📊 Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain an end-to-end tracking dashboard covering operations across Slovenia and Hungary.

• Prepare monthly cost and performance analyses by port and transport segment.

• Compare cost and operational benchmarks between Koper and the Italian backup port.

• Review supplier invoices and support payment processes.

• Prepare regular KPI reports and quarterly Tariff Policy & Cost Optimization recommendations.

What we're looking for

You don't need to tick every single box to be successful in this role. We are looking for someone with strong import, customs, port operations, and supply chain experience who is comfortable taking ownership and coordinating multiple stakeholders.

Ideally, you bring:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in International Trade, Logistics, Supply Chain, or a related field.

• 2+ years of relevant import clearance experience within EU ports.

• Experience with Koper and/or Italian ports such as Trieste, Venice, or Genoa is highly valued.

• Practical understanding of vessel discharge and port terminal operations.

• Experience working with customs brokers, carriers, terminals, or port authorities.

• Knowledge of EU customs regulations, UCC, ICS2, HS codes, EORI, and VAT deferral (PVA).

• Familiarity with transport dispatching and European road transportation.

• Strong Excel and data analysis skills.

• Fluent English.

• Knowledge of Slovenian, Italian, or Hungarian official correspondence is an advantage.

What makes this opportunity interesting?

This is more than a standard customs or logistics coordination role.

You will have the opportunity to own a critical part of the supply chain, work across two European port networks, and directly contribute to operational continuity, cost optimization, and risk management.

You will gain exposure to:

• International port operations

• EU customs and trade compliance

• Supply chain contingency planning

• Transport and carrier management

• Supplier and contract management

• Cost analysis and tariff strategy

• Cross-border operations across Slovenia, Italy, and Hungary

If you are someone who takes ownership, spots risks before they become problems, and enjoys solving complex operational challenges, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply now and become a key part of our international supply chain operations.

About BYD

Our Purpose is to build a zero-emission future that reconnects humanity with nature. We are looking for talent that connects with this mission and want to create positive impact by joining a diverse and dynamic team.

BYD is a leading, high-tech multinational, based in Shenzhen, China. Operates in four core fields of IT, automotive, new energy, and rail transit and employs over 300,000 people worldwide. As a global pioneer in New Energy Solutions BYD is dedicated to building a zero-emission ecosystem.

BYD Europe BV located in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. BYD Europe BV offers a full line of BYD electric vehicles, including all-electric cars, all-electric buses, and all-electric forklift trucks.