H-1B Visa Trade Compliance Manager Jobs
Trade Compliance Manager roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree in international trade, supply chain, or a related field. Employers in manufacturing, defense contracting, and logistics regularly sponsor H-1B holders for these roles, covering LCA filing and USCIS petition costs.
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Title: Trade Compliance Manager
Location: Fort Mill, SC/ Burlington, WA (hybrid)
Type: Fulltime
Job Description:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Identify and action discrepancies in documentation associated with the Customs clearance of imported and exported goods.
- Verify accuracy of, prepare and process brokerage invoices for payment for Accounts Payable.
- Identify inefficiencies and problem solve for long-term solutions in Trade Compliance processes.
- Uphold and promote required trade compliance as set out by CBSA, CBP as well as other foreign Customs Authorities and government agencies regulations as required.
- Lead the development and implementation of the company's import compliance program in line with trade, solar, and contracting regulations.
- Assist import activities in managing import licenses, agreements, commodity jurisdictions, product classifications, and exemptions/exceptions for international business activities.
- Partner with cross-functional teams, including engineering, sales, and supply chain, to ensure a cohesive import compliance posture.
- Well understood import regulations and from there to develop a training program and conduct in-depth training and briefing sessions to raise awareness and understanding of import regulations and their impact across the company.
- Design and lead audit programs to identify potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk; develop and implement corrective action plans for resolution.
- Serve as the key compliance contact for government audits and inquiries related to export activities; lead responses to governmental inquiries and investigations concerning compliance matters.
- Database management: create new parts, update and/or replace existing parts, maintain the import database on a short-term and long-term basis; update USMCA/CUSMA data; anti-dumping and countervailing duty data; OGD data.
- Analyze export documentation that is supplied to (Company’s) locations for discrepancies and advise of required revisions prior to shipping and/or customs entry.
- Review Canadian and US brokerage billing invoices for accuracy; request post entry adjustments where required; supply supporting documentation and information to substantiate duty refunds and payments.
- Communicate effectively with brokers, carriers, service providers, CBSA, CBP via email, telephone, fax, mail and in-person.
- Ensure ISO 9000 Policies/Procedures are followed.
Qualifications
- A minimum of 8 years of experience in trade compliance within a relevant industry, solar industry experience is preferred.
- Trade compliance / Customs (CBSA) diploma or any other post-secondary certificate.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Trade Compliance Manager
Document your export control credentials early
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims for compliance roles. Gather transcripts showing coursework in international trade law, customs regulations, or supply chain, plus any EAR, ITAR, or OFAC certifications before applying.
Target manufacturers with active export licenses
Companies holding State Department or Commerce Department export licenses must maintain dedicated compliance staff, making them far more likely to sponsor H-1B petitions for Trade Compliance Managers than general logistics firms.
Search Migrate Mate for verified H-1B sponsors
Use Migrate Mate to filter Trade Compliance Manager openings by employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history in compliance and regulatory roles, so you're applying where sponsorship is already established practice.
Verify the prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify wages at Level I through Level IV. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up prevailing wages for SOC code 13-1041 in your metro area before your offer conversation, so you understand the DOL floor.
Confirm your role's specialty occupation classification
Review the O*NET profile for Compliance Officers to confirm the listed education requirement is a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Bring this to your hiring contact if USCIS sends an RFE questioning whether the role qualifies.
Start the LCA process before your OPT expires
The DOL certifies LCAs within seven business days, but your employer still needs time to prepare the I-129. If you're on OPT, align your offer timeline so the petition is filed with enough buffer before your EAD end date.
H-1B Visa Trade Compliance Manager: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Trade Compliance Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Trade Compliance Manager roles typically qualify because USCIS treats them as requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree in international trade, supply chain management, business law, or a related field. The O*NET classification for Compliance Officers supports this, and employers routinely include degree requirements in job descriptions. If your duties involve ITAR, EAR, or OFAC regulations, the specialty occupation argument is especially strong.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for trade compliance roles?
Defense contractors, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies, and multinational corporations with active export licenses are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for these roles. These employers are legally required to maintain dedicated compliance staff under their export authorizations, which creates a genuine business need that supports the sponsorship decision. Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history specifically in compliance and regulatory functions.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement affect trade compliance job offers?
Your employer's LCA must certify that your salary meets the DOL prevailing wage for your specific role and location, grouped into four wage levels. For Trade Compliance Managers, Level III or Level IV wages are common given the regulatory expertise required. You can verify the applicable wage using the OFLC Wage Search before your offer negotiation to understand the minimum your employer must certify.
Can I change employers during my H-1B without losing my status if I'm a trade compliance professional?
Yes, H-1B portability under AC21 lets you move to a new employer in the same or a similar occupational classification once your petition has been pending for at least 180 days. For Trade Compliance Managers, a move between companies in manufacturing, defense, or logistics typically qualifies as the same classification. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before your last day at the prior employer.
Does security clearance eligibility affect H-1B sponsorship for trade compliance roles?
It can complicate the process but doesn't automatically disqualify you. Many defense contractors and government-adjacent employers require personnel with access to controlled technical data to hold or be eligible for a security clearance, which non-citizens may not be able to obtain. If a role explicitly requires a clearance, confirm with the employer before investing time in the application, as this is often a hard requirement separate from H-1B eligibility.