Senior Director Customs Compliance Europe
Sales & Business Development, Compliance / Regulatory
Bonn, Germany
Posted on Oct 27, 2026
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We are looking for an experienced and capable Senior Director Customs Compliance for Europe to join our team based in Bonn Germany.
How will you contribute to the success of DHL?
As a senior leader and expert in Customs Complaince your role will be to guide the DHL Express country organizations across Europe to ensure compliance with all external customs and foreign trade laws and regulations as well as compliance with internal DPDHL standards and policies. You will be responsible for regulatory compliance on all major customs and foreign trade issues (including VAT and excise) and will be the key decision maker on customs related issues such as appeals, refund claims etc. The role sets customs compliance standards in alignment with the Global Customs team and ensures enforcement of the standards in the countries as well as monitors compliance on a regular basis. The focus in on ensuring compliance of all customs processes and providing clear guidance and advice to Operational and Commercial Management in Countries to mitigate risks and promote DHL as a reliable partner to Customs and Trade Related Regulatory Authorities in countries and at the regional level. As such being passionate about Compliance to Customs Regulations but pragmatic about finding solution for our customers and the business is critical to success. Key Tasks include
- Maintain regulatory compliance frameworks in coordination with global and regional Customs teams and ensure compliance at the country level, and have a deep understanding of regulatory requirements and risk areas in Customs Foreign Trade and ensuring the implementation of risk mitigation measures at the country level.
- Provide training and advice to countries on customs and foreign trade including coaching and developing in-country Customs Compliance staff to build a highly skilled Customs team and share the latest knowledge, policies and practices related to customs and foreign trade.
- Contribute to customs-related regulations (Global SOP) and ensure that internal audits are carried out in the individual countries and that a framework is in place for managing compliance with legal requirements.
- Ensure a balance between operational needs and compliance requirements.
- Preparing and, if necessary, liaising with customs authorities at all levels.
- Ensure sound set-up and adequate supervision of customs activities within countries ensuring that compliance officers are appointed, up to date, aware of their responsibilities and equipped to fulfill their roles appropriately and sustainably.
- Leading the implementation of the Customs Compliance Program and addressing issues as they arise, without direct hierarchical control.
- Developing and implementing the necessary tools for companies to mitigate customs clearance risks, implement appropriate controls and ensure that any compliance issues that arise are properly addressed.
- Provide compliance information/guidance to the sales community and liaise with customers on customs and foreign trade enquiries and advising on customs and foreign trade-specific topics during customer negotiations and contract discussions
- Processing customer enquiries relating to compliance regulations and incidents
Do you have what it takes?
Your passion for ensuring Compliance to Customs Regulations and mitigating risk whilst support the business and customers to ensure Customs Clearance activities remain a competitive advantage for DHL Express will ensure your success in the role! in addition you will need the following experience and abilities...
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in law, international business, or a related field as well as a comprehensive qualification in customs and foreign trade law.
- Solid experience in customs and foreign trade law (at least 12-15 years+). Preferably in a role where compliance programs were driven in a multinational company or in a Big 4 company.
- Knowledge of the logistics/express business is a plus (10+ years in the industry).
- Excellent theoretical legal customs and VAT knowledge and capability to convert and apply theoretical knowledge into practice combined with the ability to understand company needs and find compliant solutions which allow us to operate in an Express environment
- Not afraid of taking decisions and capable to drive execution
- Previous success in building and improving customs compliance and risk management frameworks in multinational companies.
- Good relationships with government and regulatory authorities and ability to influence key decision makers.
- Experience as a senior level representative with a strong professional network.
- Strong written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Culturally adaptable, with ttrong influencing and consensus building skills.
Are you ready to go to the next level?
Please submit your application along with your CV in English and a copy of your highest educational degree (e.g., Bachelor’s, Master’s, or MBA certificate).
DHL is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.
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