Who are you?
I’m Cesilia, 25, and I’ve been working with Customs Support Finland since 2019 – although they were SA-TU Logistics then.
I joined the team here as a Summer intern whilst I was studying international business, in what was originally a temporary move from my hometown of Padasjoki, 160kms away, to see what life was like in Helsinki.
When the Summer was over, I decided to come here permanently. I’ve learnt a lot here, and now work as a customs clearance coordinator.
What does a customs clearance coordinator do at Customs Support?
I work very closely with our customers and my colleagues to ensure that everything is running well. My work itself is very mixed, with me being part-time customs declarant, part-time customer service, and part-time intelligent automation specialist.
What does your typical working day look like?
The first thing I do is check my emails and teams to see if we have any urgent issues, then it’s on to my tasks. I check in on all of my declarations and keep customers updated. Then I check with our export team if they need any assistance. For example, if they have any compliance-related issues, or if someone is away and they need cover.
Throughout the day I’ll keep watch that our integrations are running smoothly and the remaining time I’m working on new interfaces and automated solutions.
What do you like most about your role?
I love how much there is to learn in this industry. The differences in import and export clearances and processes, how quickly things can change, and the way we can do more with digitalisation. When Bardo first introduced me to some of our solutions after SATU joined the group, I was amazed. I like that there is always more we can do and learn.
How was it being an intern without any customs experience?
There was a lot to take in, but the team here were really good. I basically got private tutoring in many different roles.
One of the things that I love is when you can finally do something without having someone guide you through it or looking at the instructions. You just do it, get it checked, and then you know you can actually do it. It’s pretty awesome.
What do you like to do when you're not at work, and how do you think that influences your work skills?
I like to play sports, and it depends on the season. In the Summer, I’m a tennis girl. In the Winter, I cross-country ski. It’s important to stay physically fit to feel good and stay mentally clear, especially when you are staring at a screen for hours every day.
What is the most important thing a client should look for in a customs partner?
You need to find someone who has and is investing into digital resources. That is where the future is, and you need someone who recognises and embraces that.
You work for a Europe-wide network. If you could visit an office location of Customs Support, which country would you go to first and why?
I know everyone says Italy, but I am going to go with Ireland. They are another small economy and separated from the rest of mainland Europe, much like we are here in Finland. I’d like to see how they do things there, and the Irish accent is also very pleasant.
