All About Customs Brokers

Custom Broker Job Description Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

Custom Broker Responsibilities

• Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
• Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
• Maintain relationships with customs brokers in other ports to expedite clearing of cargo.
• Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
• Inform importers and exporters of steps to reduce duties and taxes.
• Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.

Custom Broker Needed Skills

When polled, Customs Brokers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Other Custom Broker Job Titles

• Import Manager
• Customs Broker
• Import/Export Specialist
• Trade Facilitator
• Export Manager

Custom Broker Employment Estimates

In the United States, there were 1,023,900 jobs for Business Operations Specialists in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.8% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 90,300 new jobs for Customs Brokers by 2026. The BLS estimates 104,200 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Business Operations Specialists are California, Florida, and Texas.

Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, South Dakota, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Custom Broker Salary

The average yearly salary of a Custom Broker ranges between $38,420 and $123,000. A Custom Broker median salary is $70,530.

How much do Business Operations Specialists make in each U.S. state?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$102,730
Maryland	$91,400
Virginia	$88,180
Massachusetts	$85,980
Alabama	$85,140
California	$83,470
New York	$83,330
Alaska	$82,160
Colorado	$82,130
Delaware	$81,880
Pennsylvania	$80,910
Rhode Island	$80,380
Texas	$80,140
New Jersey	$78,920
Connecticut	$78,120
Washington	$77,850
Georgia	$75,070
Kansas	$74,520
Nebraska	$74,370
North Carolina	$74,040
Missouri	$73,500
Hawaii	$73,310
North Dakota	$73,010
Oklahoma	$72,940
Utah	$72,100
Illinois	$71,780
Nevada	$71,580
Minnesota	$71,220
Ohio	$71,190
New Hampshire	$70,890
South Dakota	$70,830
Michigan	$70,410
New Mexico	$70,340
West Virginia	$70,180
Wyoming	$69,740
South Carolina	$69,340
Oregon	$68,890
Vermont	$67,910
Arizona	$67,670
Idaho	$67,630
Maine	$66,760
Kentucky	$66,450
Florida	$66,440
Montana	$66,290
Mississippi	$65,650
Iowa	$65,020
Tennessee	$62,330
Indiana	$61,290
Louisiana	$60,430
Arkansas	$59,530
Wisconsin	$57,620

What Tools do Customs Brokers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Customs Brokers:

• SAP
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Excel

Where Customs Brokers Are Employed

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being a Custom Broker may also be interested in:

• Transportation Managers
• Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons