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Use US customs brokers to fill you in

US custom brokers like to keep up with the latest industry news themselves, and oftentimes they like to share it on their websites. Take advantage of the brokers that keep up-to-date information on their sites for public reading so that you to can stay knowledgeable on the industry.

I recommend: Check out the new postings from Rogers & Brown. Check out the latest news information and events from the Pacific Customs Brokers.

Join a US customs broker association

Take advantage of one of the many large city or regional US customs broker associations. These affiliations help you network connections and offer continuing education and training opportunities.

I recommend: The Baltimore Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association offers the latest news for the customs brokers and freight forwarder in Baltimore. Find additional information on events from the Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association.

Go to a US customs broker event or seminar

Visit a US customs broker event, seminar, tradeshow or industry get together to network, learn something new or to simply build on the knowledge that you already have.

I recommend: Find out the latest customs broker license news from the American Customs Association. A & A Contract Customs Brokers offers the latest in news and event information. Particularly look for seminars with guest speaker opportunities to help learn the latest in industry information.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  U.S. customs brokers can also take advantage of affiliations to discuss issues that they may be encountering. What you may think is an isolated issue may be a growing problem that Homeland Security needs to know about.

Guide to US Based Customs Brokers

Get products through customs and to customers with the best US customs brokers

By Patti Richards, Free Lance Writer, PGWRites Communications

1. Ensure your imports meet all federal regulations for containers coming into the U.S.
2. Guarantee your goods get to their final destination in a timely and efficient manner.
3. Get your imported good through customs quickly.
4. Guarantee their services by offering comprehensive insurance coverage.

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Find U.S. based customs brokers that are experts in regulations, requirements and restrictions

U.S. customs brokers that do their job right will protect you from a host of problems down the road. Make sure the company you choose is well versed and up to date on all current import regulations and restrictions.

I recommend: Alba Wheels Up and 4 Seas International Shipping, Inc. Both of these companies have a long history in the U.S. custom brokers business and provide their clients with expertise in every area of licensed customs broker service.

Look for companies that provide advanced clearance for your imports while they're en route.

Advanced clearance saves your company time and money which improves not only your bottom line, but your overall customer service. Quality U.S. customs broker firms that offer this feature have the client's best interest at heart.

I recommend: Merchants Custom House Brokerage Co. Inc. and A&A Contract Customs Brokers Ltd. Advance clearance is just one of the many specialized customs house broker services these companies provide.

Choose a commercial customs broker who sees your products through to their final destination

Full service United States customs brokers know that a fully satisfied client means a completely finished job. The best customs brokers and logistic companies track and ship items until they reach their final destination.

I recommend: Koch Logistics and RGA Logistics companies for a full service customs brokerage relationship. From shipping, tracking, customs to delivery, these customs brokers are there to meet your import needs.

Work with United States customs brokers that offer great service for a good value.

Keeping import prices down means savings you can pass on to your customers. Working with customs brokers and logistics experts who understand they are only one aspect of your overall budget just makes sense.

I recommend: Quality Customs Brokers and Apex Logistics, Inc. are companies who work hard to save you money. These customs brokerage firms offer high quality services designed to meet any budget.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  U.S. customs broker firms come in many sizes and offer a great variety of services. If you're new to the import/export business, look for brokerages specializing in start up businesses who are willing to walk you through the process.

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Find out how to become a licensed US customs broker

See what it takes to become a licensed US customs broker. Find out why their skills are so valuable to importers and exporters and/or why you might be interested in entering the field of becoming a licensed customs broker.

I recommend: Find out basic U. S. Customs and Border Protection Broker information from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Learn about who is eligible and how to go about the process of becoming one if your company is interested in becoming a licensed broker. For those considering taking the test, there are study at home programs like from Logistics Training Systems to help you pass the exam.

Learn how to take advantage of U.S. customs brokers

Make the most of the U.S. Customs Brokers services available. They are the experts in their fields, and they can help answers the questions you don't even know to ask when bringing goods into and out of the country.

I recommend: Find out from USA.gov about import of goods and about how to use a broker to have your goods cleared. Export.gov also has helpful information on both customs brokers and freight forwarding.

Keep up with the US customs broker industry

Stay abreast of the latest us customs broker industry information by joining an association or going to a trade event. You can also go to a specific broker website and see what news items they track from their website.

I recommend: Find news, publications, resources and more about US customs brokerage from The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America. TradePort also has import logistics and customs brokerage basics.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  US customs brokers will help you determine if you need a carnet for your merchandise for the country that you are shipping to as is the case for companies that offer services (e.g. audio visual or computer related) in other countries. Carnets are not necessary in every country, but they basically are the documentation that allow the shipment of goods, equipment or merchandise that is planned to travel out of a country and later return to the original country in its original form. Otherwise, if the goods were to stay in the country that they traveled into, the sender would be taxed. A national customs broker can help answer tricky questions like this and many more that could end up costing your company thousands of dollars if you are not careful, and they are a great service provider to have on your side.

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Complex entries

Complex entries can include live entries and anti-dumping/countervailing duty entries. Live entries require a visa license from the export company, while anti-dumping/countervailing duty entries require additional customs information.

I recommend: Learn more about complex entries from UPS.

In-transit bond (IT bond)

In-transit bonds (IT bonds) refer to a vouch from the company representing the shipper that the goods are in transit. This is necessary to help prevent fraud and loss of duty dollars to foreign countries and the US.

I recommend: Find out more about goods in-transit and in-transit bonds from Intertek.

Single entry bond (SEB)

A Single Entry Bond (SEB) is a one-time bond issued by customs that ensures compliance with United States laws and regulations.

I recommend: Look at single entry bond information from the Intercom Transport Group.

Duty drawback

A duty drawback is a refund request for all or part of the customs duties or domestic tax paid on imported items that were either manufactured into different things, destroyed or re-exported, making them untaxable.

I recommend: Learn more about duty drawback from The Law Offices of Countryman & McDaniel.

Warehouse/foreign trade zone fee

The warehouse/foreign trade zone fee is a dollar amount assessed when a customer request is made by the importer to file either a warehouse or a Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) entry.

I recommend: Find a wealth of FTZ information and assistance from the Foreign-Trade Zone Resource Center.

NAFTA Processing

NAFTA Processing is special processing to make sure that the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) paperwork is completed for a shipment in order for it to have reduced tariffs.

I recommend: Find out more about NAFTA processing from the US Department of Homeland Security.