Becoming a Customs Broker (2024)

What is a Customs broker?

Customs brokers are private individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assist importers and exporters in meeting Federal requirements governing imports and exports. Brokers submit necessary information and appropriate payments to CBP on behalf of their clients and charge them a fee for this service.

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.

There are approximately14,454 active licensed Customs brokers in the United States.

What about Customs brokerages?

Corporations, partnerships and associations must have a broker license to transact Customs business. Each of these businesses must have at least one individually licensed officer, partner or associate to qualify the company's license. Failure to have a qualifying officer or member (of a partnership) for more than 120 days will result in the revocation of the broker license.

Who is eligible to become qualified as a Customs broker?

To be eligible, you must:

  • be a United States citizen at least 21 years old.
  • not be a current Federal Government employee.
  • possess good moral character.

Assuming I am eligible, how do I become a Customs broker?

  1. First, you must pass the Customs Broker License Examination.
  2. Second, you must submit a broker license application with appropriate fees.
  3. Third, your application must be approved by CBP.

Additional Information

For additional information, please visit the Customs Brokers Frequently Asked Questions.

Becoming a Customs Broker (2024)

FAQs

Is it worth it to become a customs broker? ›

Despite how difficult the exam is, the career outlook for a customs broker is very good. It's expected that over 25,000 new jobs will be created by 2029 to meet shipping demands. Job vacancies for custom brokers increase an average of 5% each year as workers retire without being replaced.

Do customs brokers make a lot of money? ›

The salaries of Licensed Customs Brokers in The US range from $35,356 to $335,458, and the average is $77,562.

How long does it take to be a custom broker? ›

The Diploma of Customs Broking is a purpose-built course created for our industry sector. This course is offered online by the International Trade and Logistics College (RTO Code 30772) over four semesters (2 years) and includes 14 Core units of study.

Are customs brokers in demand? ›

Customs brokers will have good employment opportunities in the near future. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for business operations specialists, including customs brokers, will grow 6 percent through 2028.

How hard is it to pass the customs broker exam? ›

Historically averaging only a 15% pass rate, the LCB exam is one of the most difficult professional tests. The exam is a 80-question, 4.5 hour multiple choice test covering such topics as valuation, duty drawback, free trade zones, classification, broker compliance, and foreign trade agreements.

Can customs brokers work from home? ›

Like many customs brokers and forwarders throughout the country, A Customs Brokerage has instituted a voluntary remote work policy for those employees who currently wish to work from home. Rodriguez said this flexibility has benefitted staff who are now faced with home childcare due to school closures.

What is the highest customs broker's salary? ›

$95,236

Is DHL a customs broker? ›

DHL Duty Drawback Services is a licensed customs brokerage firm with over 30 years of experience.

What brokers get paid the most? ›

What are Top 5 Best Paying Related Broker Jobs in the U.S.
Job TitleAnnual SalaryMonthly Pay
Commercial Broker$196,249$16,354
Principal Broker$109,393$9,116
Real Estate Broker$98,791$8,232
Investment Broker$97,073$8,089
1 more row

How many people pass the customs broker exam? ›

If you want the license, you have to pass the US Customs broker exam . This exam is one of the most difficult to pass in the USA. There are roughly 2,600 examinees a year who take the exam, and only around 15% are able to pass. Most examinees will need to take a prep course in order to pass.

How hard is it to become a customs agent? ›

The CBP specifies there are three ways to qualify for an entry level position. Candidates either need to have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, three years of relevant work experience, or a combination of post-high school education and work experience.

How long is the US customs broker exam? ›

You have four hours to complete the examination. Where and when is the Customs Broker Examination given? This examination is normally given at CBP service ports ( Ports ) the first Monday in April and the first Monday in October.

What skills do customs brokers need? ›

Critical thinking and problem-solving are among the skills customs brokers need so that they can understand, and help clients comply with, import/export laws. They also must be able to communicate well to interact with customs officials, explain services and procedures to clients, and write reports.

Is FedEx a customs broker? ›

When you use a broker-inclusive service for international shipments with a declared customs value of USD $500,000 or less, FedEx defaults as the designated broker and will facilitate clearance using its U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) bond.

Can I use UPS as a customs broker? ›

UPS provides customs brokerage services for all your shipments. Some additional charges may apply when complex brokerage services are involved. Additionally, the length of time your merchandise takes to clear customs may originate warehouse charges.

Is US customs a good job? ›

Excellent Pay and Benefits

CBP offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to reflect the dedication and contributions of our employees. Click the below links to explore Pay and Benefits for each OFO position.

How does a customs broker make money? ›

Customs brokers may charge for services in various ways: Flat Fee: Some charge a flat fee for each shipment, regardless of its value or complexity. Per-Entry Fee: This fee is charged for each customs entry or declaration processed.

Is customs a good job? ›

US Customs and Border Protection has an employee rating of 3.9 out of 5 stars, based on 435 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Velia Krajcik

Last Updated:

Views: 5653

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Velia Krajcik

Birthday: 1996-07-27

Address: 520 Balistreri Mount, South Armand, OR 60528

Phone: +466880739437

Job: Future Retail Associate

Hobby: Polo, Scouting, Worldbuilding, Cosplaying, Photography, Rowing, Nordic skating

Introduction: My name is Velia Krajcik, I am a handsome, clean, lucky, gleaming, magnificent, proud, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.