Customs brokers submit necessary information and appropriate payments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on behalf of their clients and charge them a fee for this service. This may involve their entry of data into the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) on behalf of the motor carrier and/or the importer.
Scope
Motor carriers who enter or exit the U.S. may be called upon to interact with the customs brokers of their clients. There are approximately 11,000 active licensed Customs brokers in the United States.
Key definitions
- Customs brokers: Private individuals, partnerships, associations, or corporations licensed, regulated, and empowered by CBP to assist importers and exporters in meeting federal requirements governing imports and exports.
Summary of requirements
Brokers must have expertise in the entry procedures, admissibility requirements, classification, valuation, and the rates of duty and applicable taxes and fees for imported merchandise. A list of qualified brokers for each port of entry is maintained on the CBP website.
Additional information on this profession may be obtained the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) at http://www.ncbfaa.org/.
