When importing goods into the United States, you need to retain the services of  customs Brokers unless you have an in-house customs broker. The process starts before placing the purchase order with your vendor as you want to know the duties that need to be paid which is part of your landed cost calculation which determines the selling price

Formal entries of foreign-made goods representing many billions of dollars in duty collections are filed each year with the U.S. Customs Service, and virtually all of them are prepared by a Customs broker on behalf of importers.

Customs brokers are licensed and regulated by the Treasury Department.

The Customs broker is primarily the agent for the importer who employs him. He is frequently the importer’s only point of contact with the U.S. Customs Service and advises on the technical requirements of importing, preparing and filing entry documents, obtaining the necessary bonds, depositing U.S. import duties, securing release of the goods and arranging delivery to the importer’s premises or warehouse.

Customs brokers play a vital role in facilitating the entry, clearance and movement of import cargo and will become even more essential in the future.

What Is A Freight Forwarder?

An international freight forwarder brings together all the loose ends that must be coordinated if American products are to be shipped to foreign buyers in the course of our nation’s international trade. Also a Freight Forwarder is needed if you are importing goods into the U.S.

A Freight Forwarder performs many functions including but not limited to air freight services, ocean freight services, distribution services, inland transportation services and more.

They are both small and large firms that have been licensed by the federal Maritime Commissions as fit, willing and able to provide the expert know-how and experience needed to arrange for the movement of cargo from inland points to foreign destinations with maximum speed and efficiency at the least cost to the exporter.

The international freight forwarder must have an extensive knowledge of transportation techniques. the possibilities and the limitations. The Freight Forwarder must act in the best interest of the importer or exporter advising on the best practices and negotiating rates.