Importing goods into the US wouldn’t be easy for obvious reasons. Imports and exports are regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and there are also international trade agreements to consider. No matter which country you are importing from, you have to ensure that all statutory and regulatory requirements are adhered to. Working with a customs broker, such as ClearitUSA amazon customs brokerage, can be useful in many ways. Here are some basic things worth knowing.
What is a customs broker?
A customs broker may refer to an individual, association, company, or partnership. They are licensed and regulated by the CBP, and their primary role is to assist exporters and importers in adhering to rules and clearing goods at different ports of entry. Once you hire a customs broker, you give them the right to work on your behalf, handling all importing requirements and paying the necessary fees and duties. All customs brokers must clear the Customs Broker License Examination to start practicing.
Knowing the differences
While on paper, the role of all brokers remains the same, but all services are not equal. Some brokers only deal with certain kinds of shipments and businesses, and they may not have presence across all ports of unloading. However, customs brokers do not need to have a physical office at the port of entry – Most interact with CBP online, including payment of fees and duties. Check if your broker is capable is handling paperwork related to FDA requirements or Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations. Your customs broker should be able to guide you on the importing process from scratch, and they have an important role in ensuring that you get your permissions, permits and licenses on time.
Hiring the right customs broker
If you want to find the right customs broker, check what they can offer. More importantly, they must have some experience of working with clients with a similar profile as yours. They need to have a clear understanding of trade agreements, current importing norms, and if any of the recent changes in CBP regulations can impact your shipment. Paperwork and documentation processing are two important reasons why many importers like to work with a customs broker.
Hiring a customs broker is your call, but for ensuring that your importing business works its best, the expertise and experience of these brokers cannot be ignored. Check online now to find more on customs brokers near you!
