Customs Operations Associate
Basis Set Ventures (Basis Set) is an AI-native venture capital fund founded in 2017 that invests in early-stage AI companies, positioning itself as the first capital for founders. The firm backs startups across automated workflows, autonomy, intelligent collaboration, and scalable infrastructure, serving early-stage AI founders and startups as its typical clients.
About Basis Set Ventures
Basis Set Ventures is an AI-native venture fund founded in 2017, built on the science of minds and machines, that recently announced its $250M Fund IV. The firm positions itself as the first institutional capital for founders and provides hands-on, 24/7 'founder concierge' support, acting as its portfolio companies' first customer, sales rep, bug reporter, and recruiter. It invests in AI-first startups spanning categories such as automated workflows, autonomy, intelligent collaboration, and scalable infrastructure, with portfolio companies including Quince, Cusp, Path Robotics, OpenArt, Entire, Tigris Data, Mem0, Vizcom, Simular, and Sakana. Basis Set also publishes original research and perspectives on topics like trucking operations, global customs, maritime transport, real estate, agriculture, and AI agent infrastructure, and runs a Basis Set AI Fellows program for individuals to work on hard problems within the firm and its portfolio companies. Its typical clients are early-stage, AI-native startup founders across a range of industries including consumer, infrastructure, robotics, and enterprise software.
Skills
About the Role
You will play a key part in supporting Quince's U.S. import operations by ensuring accurate, compliant, and timely customs clearance. You will develop expertise in customs brokerage operations while helping manage high-volume import activity and partnering with internal teams and external vendors to facilitate the seamless movement of goods across borders. This role is well-suited for someone who enjoys working within operational workflows, following established processes, resolving exceptions, collaborating across teams, and maintaining a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
Requirements
- 3-5 years of experience in customs brokerage
- Strong attention to detail
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-volume operational environments
- Strong organizational skills
- Basic understanding of U.S. import processes
- Willingness to learn
- Proficiency with spreadsheets and operational trackers
- Experience working with e-commerce, retail, apparel, footwear, home goods, or consumer products
- Customs brokers license or desire to get it
Responsibilities
- Support daily U.S. customs filing operations for Quince-managed import shipments
- Assist with preparing, reviewing, and validating shipment data required for customs entry filing
- Monitor shipment status and help resolve customs clearance exceptions in a timely manner
- Coordinate with internal teams, customs brokers, carriers, and external supply chain partners to support timely release of goods
- Review shipment documentation for completeness and escalate missing or inaccurate data
- Support timely transmission and follow-up of customs filing data, including entry-related information and partner updates
- Help maintain accurate operational records, shipment trackers, and customs filing documentation
- Support internal audit activities by gathering entry data, shipment records, and supporting documentation
- Assist with daily and weekly reporting on customs filing volume, clearance status, and operational exceptions
- Escalate customs clearance risks, data gaps, or operational bottlenecks to senior team members
- Learn and apply Quince's customs compliance procedures and internal controls