Customs Brokers Basics

Customs brokers are necessary by law for importing and exporting businesses
By Geraldine McGowan There are 11,000 customs brokers in the US, licensed by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. US customs brokers are individuals, companies and associations. Customs brokers on behalf of import export companies provide the government with all the documentations, applicable fees and taxes for goods entering or exiting the country. Customs brokers are paid by importers and exporters to perform this service.
 

An export broker can become a customs broker by passing the license exam and then applying for a license with the CBP.

1. All customs brokers are licensed by the CBP.

2. Customs brokers are necessary for importing and exporting and are experts in the documentation, taxes and fees required by US laws.

3. Customs brokers work on behalf of importers and exporters and are paid by them to perform services.

4. Customs brokers also help with the logistics of transporting imported or exported goods and are expected to have the goods quickly processed.

Find out about customs brokers basics

You can find out more about customs brokers and a customs broker license by using regulatory and national associations websites, which have a wealth of material on this job.
Try: The Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which oversees customs brokers and its websites give basic information on customs brokers' compliance, as well as updates to changes in laws. The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America's website provides a lot of information on import/export brokers.

Look at the various services provided by customs brokers

Customs brokers play a role in the logistics of exporting and importing. Having the appropriate documentation and making sure fees and taxes have been paid ensure that goods are released in a timely manner, but customs brokers also track the imports and exports for companies and keep companies informed on new regulations and changes made by US Customs.
Try: Stile Associates is a customs brokerage company; its website does a good job of explaining the breadth of services brokers provide. Cleared and Delivered will give you a quote by email on its services when you provide it with information on your shipment.

Find out about import export broker licensing

An import export broker must first pass a licensing exam and then apply to the CBP for a license. Background checks will be made during the application process.
Try: Information on becoming a licensed customs broker is provided by US Customs. The exams are open book and scheduled twice a year at border ports throughout the country. Samples of previous export brokers customs' exams are available for viewing.

• For more information on customs brokers basics, inquire with local export brokers to find out the costs of using a customs broker. You can also check with other importers and exporters for names of customs brokers that they use.