If you are interested in the business of importing, one of the first steps is to understand the compliance and regulatory requirements. All imports and exports in the US are regulated by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and importers are required to follow procedure and formalities to a T. Instead of trying to navigate things on your own, have you considered the idea of working with a customs broker. Some services, such as Clearit customs consulting, have been around for years, and they work with clients for diverse importing needs. In this post, we are sharing more about working with customs brokers.
Understanding the need for customs brokers
Importers often don’t have the time to understand international trade agreements or tariff classification, but these are things that are expected to deal with. Customs brokers basically help in managing all the steps and processes that matter for importing goods in the US. From state and federal requirements, to trade agreements and customs audits, they can aid at every step.
Signing “power of attorney”
To hire a customs brokers, you have to give them a “power of attorney”. This simply means that they can work on your behalf. However, all the responsibilities related to goods and shipments imported do not get transferred. The “power of attorney” allows your customs broker to deal with documentation, standard regulations and compliance requirements, on your behalf.
What can a customs broker do?
- Your broker will handle all the documentation work that must be completed for importing.
- Your customs broker will calculate all tariffs and duties that are applicable, and as needed, they will work on refunds too.
- Customs brokers can advise on trade agreements, changing importing regulations and other details, which can come handy for further business orders.
- When it comes to exploring new markets, your broker can help you with the basic setup and advice on lucrative prospects.
- Most brokers also specialize in bookkeeping and management of records, and they can be immensely useful for customs audits.
Get free consultation
If you want to find more on how and to what extent a customs broker can help your business, you have to consider asking for a free consultation session. Setting up your account wouldn’t take long, and once basic formalities are done, your customs broker can start working on your behalf right away. Note that brokers don’t always need to have a physical office at the port of entry.