Jan Willem van Gijzen
Customs & Trade Compliance Specialist · Interim Manager · Project Manager
With over 30 years of continuous hands-on experience in international trade, Jan Willem van Gijzen combines deep substantive expertise with strong management and leadership skills. His career spans a broad range of roles — from implementation consultant and project manager to partner manager at an internationally operating customs software company and being an independent customs & trade adviser.
His particular strength lies at the intersection of operational practice and strategic compliance: he steps into organisations, quickly assesses what is needed, and delivers — whether that is interim management of a customs department, leading a software implementation project, obtaining an AEO authorization, or training a team.
Through Smart Trade Compliance he works for clients across a wide range of sectors, providing interim management, project management and specialist advisory services in:
- EU customs legislation (UCC)
- Goods classification (HS/CN/TARIC)
- Rules of origin & preferential trade
- Customs value & Incoterms®
- Export control & dual-use
- AEO authorisations
- CBAM & emerging legislation
Certifications
- Professional Diploma International Trade Compliance — Merit (2025)
- PRINCE2 Foundation (2009)
- Post-HBO MCTA — Manager Customs & Trade Affairs (2007–2008)