Shunji Seto

I am in charge of import Customs clearance. When importing goods that have arrived in Japan from a foreign country into Japan, it is necessary to make an import (tax payment) declaration to the customs office, undergo the necessary inspections, pay customs duties, etc., and receive an import permition. This series of procedures is called import Customs clearance procedures, and as a Customs clearance broker, we carry out the procedures on behalf of our customers upon request. Generally, during import customs Customs clearance, Consignee (agent) must calculate the amount of customs duties to be paid by himself/herself, and there are also import regulations based on customs laws and other laws, so it is necessary to have a deep knowledge of the cargo. This requires an accurate understanding of the law. On the other hand, the customer has a deadline for delivery (time limit), so it is necessary to complete the procedure quickly. In my daily work, I mainly work at a desk, but I also have many opportunities to attend unexpected customs inspections, accompany customers and sales representatives in complex cases, consult with customs officials, and go out.

This incident happened when a certain customer requested import Customs clearance for a set of factory equipment. During customs inspection, undeclared items were found. There are various reasons for this, but this case was due to a lack of knowledge regarding Customs clearance on the local side. In order to make sure that the declaration was correct, we conducted a content inspection with the customer and sales staff, but when we initially declared there were about 100 types of cargo, when we actually counted them, the number nearly doubled. Count and Weighing all of them, took photos, summarized details such as materials and uses, reported and re-declared to customs, and finally received an import permition without incident. We worked for three full days under the scorching midsummer sun, so it was quite physically demanding, but we received words of gratitude from our customers, which gave us an even greater sense of accomplishment. I felt that Customs clearance work is not just about creating a declaration form and filing a declaration, but when an irregular situation occurs, it is necessary to have the ability to look over the whole situation, understand the best place to land, and operate.

First, it is important to properly prioritize work. Multiple cases must be handled within a limited amount of time each day, some of which are simple tasks that only take about 15 minutes, while others are complex and require several hours or days. . In addition, each job has a deadline, so if you don't calculate backwards by comparing it with your own processing capacity and manage it appropriately, you will end up going bankrupt.

Next, although this is something that comes naturally to anyone in an organization, I place great importance on communicating with those around me. In Customs clearance department, each individual is assigned a case, so there is a tendency for the department to become a one-person shop. There are many times when you will face difficulties as you proceed with your work, but I think it is extremely important to think and research for yourself first. However, if you are left alone with the problems, your perspective tends to be narrowed, so it is important to communicate with those around you and share information in order to find a breakthrough.

It may be a cliché, but I think it's all about people. When I was job hunting, I felt that the company had a homely atmosphere, and that hasn't changed since I joined the company. Most working adults will spend a large portion of their day at work. Isn't it important for you to work for a long time whether the atmosphere of the workplace suits you? Organizations and companies are collections of people, and work cannot be completed by one person alone. The personality of each employee may be what creates the atmosphere of the Nissin company.

I am also fortunate to have wonderful classmates, and I find it attractive that the connections between them are strong. When I hear about my peers who are active in each workplace, I feel like I need to do my best, and I often find myself borrowing wisdom and help from my peers who work in other departments. As a side note, I got married in the office (and got married in the same year), and the after-party after the wedding was just like a same-sex party, and it was a great success.

Customs clearance work requires an accurate understanding and deep knowledge of customs-related laws and other laws. However, laws and regulations change over time. Similarly, EPAs/FTAs surrounding Japan are expected to further expand in the future, and Customs clearance operations are expected to become more diverse and complex. Under these circumstances, I would like to constantly study and learn and become a professional person who can carry out appropriate and prompt Customs clearance procedures. Also, in Customs clearance work, a small mistake can lead to a major accident, so as Customs clearance broker, I always want to approach my daily work with a sense of self-improvement and responsibility, with a sense of humility.

I don't know if this can be called a dream for the future, but when my child grows up and enters the workforce, I would like to be told, ``Your father's work is great'' and ``Your father is working hard.'' , that makes me very happy.

To be honest, when I first started job hunting, I had no interest in the logistics industry. However, I did not join Nissin with a negative mindset, nor did I feel that my daily work was boring. I think everyone who is looking for a job has a company or industry that is their first choice. I would be very happy if everyone could advance to their first choice, but that is not the case in reality. Please keep a broad perspective and explore various industries and companies. You may find that an industry you hadn't paid attention to before turns out to be surprisingly interesting, or that it actually matches you. When you do so, be sure to meet the employees who work there, listen to their stories, and get a feel for the atmosphere of the company. When deciding on the path you want to take, make sure you are satisfied with it before proceeding. I believe that if you follow a path that you are happy with, you will be able to overcome any difficulties or unreasonableness that may come your way. I hope that your job search will be fruitful for everyone.