Look for full-service, licensed customs broker companies that have the expertise to guide you through the complexities of importing and exporting. These individuals are specially trained to make sure imports for both companies and individuals follow the strict, always changing guidelines set by the government. Likewise, for America, U. Using a brokerage company that provides integrated Canadian and U.
This means the broker is part of a U. Along with increasing safety, this helps your shipments move through the border quicker because the membership allows the customs clearance processes to go faster. Do you need assistance importing or exporting goods? Get a quote for free. Because the data is online, any tariff changes or special instructions can be accessed rapidly, ensuring that accurate information is used.
Customs brokers are the primary source of knowledge and skills that help importers develop appropriate systems and procedures in reporting trade data. Many countries have systems in which brokers are electronically linked with customs through automated customs systems.
This enables electronic transfer of accounting documents and payments and greatly speeds up clearance of shipments. A customs broker can assist an importer in a number of complicated areas, such as tariff classification, customs valuation, appeals and dispute settlements , refunds, drawbacks and remission of duties, sales and excise tax implications, payment of taxes and duties, seizure appeals, reviews of past customs accounting documents entries , and anti-dumping and countervailing issues.
Some customs brokers offer freight-management services, based on the buy-and sell principle. A customs broker buys freight rates in bulk from carriers and resells them to its brokerage clients. In addition to freight rates, a customs broker also purchases cargo insurance packages and makes them available to its brokerage clients.
Customs brokers also offer warehousing and distribution services, including inspection and storage of goods and processing of small orders. A foreign company can become a non-resident importer by authorizing a customs broker to clear its goods through customs. Books and records, including books, letters, accounts and invoice statements financial or other , must be maintained in the importing country for a specified period of time.
In Canada, the record keeping period is six years. In some countries, using a customs broker or a customs agent is mandatory. Selecting an HS code is a complicated process. If you get it wrong, that could trigger an inspection, which comes with extra expense.
A licensed customs agent understands how to make the right choice. Completes and transmits the Import Security Filing ISF — This electronic document provides information about the shipment, including the first six digits of the HS code.
The ISF must be filed at least 24 hours before the shipment leaves the port of origin. Obtains an ISF bond — The broker purchases this bond from a surety company to guarantee that US Customs will receive the ISF filing, the document will contain the required data about the shipment and it will arrive by the hour deadline. Obtains a customs clearance bond — Also purchased from a surety company, this bond guarantees that US Customs will receive all required duties and fees.
Transmits the customs clearance documentation — This is usually done about a week before the vessel arrives at the destination port. The customs clearance includes much of the same information as the ISF but in more detail, including the complete digit ISF code and all the commercial invoice details. The fee a customs broker charges varies with the size and complexity of the work it performs.
In exchange, you get a professional service that processes a customs entry in minutes, rather than the hours or even days it might take an inexperienced importer.
The broker submits those filings electronically, helping to ensure that Customs will get them on time. Because it knows the process well, a customs broker reduces the risk of errors that could otherwise delay your shipment and increase your costs. Surety companies prefer to work with customs brokers or freight forwarders.
Unless you, as an importer, can offer a great deal of ongoing business, most sureties will refuse to work with you directly.
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