FMC Compliance (Ocean Freight NORAM)

The FMC Compliance & DDS Audit Specialist ensures full adherence to FMC, OSRA 2022, DDS Billing, NVOCC, Tariff, Service Contract, NRA governance, and CW1 operational requirements for all Ocean Freight shipments to/from the United States and territories. The role is accountable for auditing shipment files, validating mandatory data elements, monitoring DDS and rate compliance, identifying training needs, publishing analytical reports, and safeguarding the organization against legal penalties, operational exposure, and reputational risk.

Key Responsibilities

1. End-to-End FMC & Regulatory Compliance

• Audit OFR shipment files to ensure compliance with FMC regulations, OSRA 2022, tariff rules, DDS billing standards, and Danmar Lines Service Contract governance.
• Verify mandatory FMC elements: rate validity (PUP/GIN/PCF/IRP), proper rate origin/destination pairing, container type, commodity, bill-to, service terms, and auto-rating accuracy.
• Ensure NRA acceptance and documentation is uploaded appropriately to CW1 and stored as per regulatory rules.
• Validate correct shipper population on MBL per NVOCC requirements (DIRU/DIRC/DANC/DANU).
• Ensure co-loading HBL statements are correctly added in compliance with 46 CFR 520.11(c)(3).

2. DDS Compliance & Penalty Governance

• Validate full adherence to DDS requirements including the 30/30/30 rule for billing, verification, and dispute timelines.
• Review and ensure all mandatory data elements DDS invoice data elements are captured (system-provided + manual “proper party of interest” statement).
• Ensure penalties are recorded as applicable
• Verify system-generated DDE/DDI appendix documents and ensure they are attached to the invoice and filed in eDocs as applicable.
• Ensure DDS exceptions are created per container using predefined Reason Codes

3. Reporting, Analytics & Risk Escalation

• Record compliance findings and audit summaries
• Identify systemic issues—rate mismatches, auto-rating failures, incorrect billing
• Present insights.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of Ocean Freight operations (FCL & LCL)
• Experience in auditing, quality control, and documentation management
• Strong analytical skills with ability to create actionable reports and insights
• High attention to detail and ability to operate with zero-error mindset
• Understanding of FMC rules, OSRA 2022, DDS billing, demurrage/detention practices, and Service Contract usage will be an added advantage

Role Impact

This role is critical by being compliant protecting the business from severe FMC penalties, DDS billing violations, customer disputes, loss of NVOCC license, and significant reputational damage. By ensuring clean, compliant, and accurately rated files, the auditor strengthens operational integrity, enhances customer trust, and supports margin protection.