Hiring The Right Customs Broker For Your Shipment

International trade can be unpredictable and complex. For most businesses, the process of international trade can be tedious, time consuming and costly. It is easy to get lost in the complexities of international trade, which is why knowing who to hire to simplify your process is key. To take care of your customs clearance process, you'll be looking for the right customs broker for you. A customs broker can help make the import or export process easier for any business, but it’s important to understand what to look for, and where to find the right broker for you.

What Does a Customs Broker Do? 

A customs broker makes things easier on your end, when it comes to transiting through customs. Their primary role is to help facilitate customs clearance for shipments, by compiling necessary documents, classifying shipments and ensuring appropriate duties or fees are paid for. They deal with government agencies on their clients behalf, and ensure shipments comply with regulation so that they can cross the border. Customs brokers can help you get your goods imported and exported in a professional, cost-effective and reliable way. 

A customs broker is useful for businesses of any size, especially those which import or export often, as they can help simplify a lot of the customs clearance responsibilities. If your import or export requires a formal customs declaration or procedure, then you likely should be using a broker. With so many regulations and guidelines to navigate, customs brokers can help simplify things. If you are looking to import or export goods to a country that has strict regulations or different rules than what you're used to, than a customs broker can be the right choice for you.                

The Main Benefits of Using a Customs Broker

Knowing the right ways to utilize the services of a customs broker can make a significant impact on your business, and for the better. Customs brokers can provide expertise on moving goods across the border, so you can focus more of your energy on your business and other production or sales aspects.

It is important to know the regulations and guidelines of a country before importing or exporting goods. Customs brokers can help you with this, reducing the overall stress of the process. A broker’s guidance on tariffs, valuation and classification for instance, should be able to reduce shipping time and save you money. Some other obvious benefits to using a customs broker include:

Expanding Your Market: A customs broker can be a vital link between you and an entire customer base in another country.  For a business to succeed, getting goods to the right customer is essential, and a customs broker can help your goods reach more customers, quicker. Your broker should be able to help you expand or reach a new market, by being able to efficiently get your goods across the border and into your customer’s hands.

Time and Cost Saving: Through the use of technology and automation, customs brokers can help you increase efficiency in your shipping and control your costs, by ensuring customs compliance and a timely customs clearance. EDI solutions, FTP (File Transfer Protocol) and many more technologies brokers have at their disposal, can help simplify your import or export, and ensure compliance.

Personalized Services: The right customs brokers can fit the unique needs of your business, and provide the service needed to keep your business moving.  Smaller businesses with lower volume of imports or exports for instance, need a broker that will pay attention to detail and take an interest in your businesses needs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution in shipping, so a customs broker is one asset that would be able to be responsive to your needs and provide a service which benefits you, no matter the business size.

If your customs broker is not providing any advantages your business, or simplifying matters, then it may be time to consider finding a new broker. The right customs broker can be a significant advantage to a business of any size, so it is important to vet yours carefully. Finding the right customs broker is important. If you're having trouble locating a customs broker or need their contact info quickly; you can use the completely free and easy to navigate, Zipments Customs Broker Directory. 

Shipping internationally contains many moving parts, and sometimes delays occur. If you find that your clearance is taking too long or you are held up at the border, getting in touch with a broker is the first step. If you need to find out who to call or email to get in touch with the right broker, then you will want to use the Zipments Customs Broker Directory, with easy to access contact information, including after hours contact info. 

You can access all Canadian brokers as well as over 25 US customs brokers, all within seconds.  Search by State or Province, or name. To get started click the broker directory links below! 

Switching Customs Brokers

Finding the right customs broker can be a challenge, and sometimes it may take a few tries to get it right. You should never be hesitant to switch brokers if you find that your current situation is not working out for you, or if it is costing your business more than its worth. Some valid reasons you may consider choosing a new broker include a failure to provide the quality service you need, and brokers who cause constant delays for your shipment. Having the correct paperwork is essential when it comes to customs clearance, so errors in data can lead to overpayments of duties or other document issues which lead to border delays and challenges for your business.

The last thing you want to be doing is paying for unnecessary storage charges or billing errors, so finding the right broker for you is important. When considering switching brokers, you will need an in depth plan. If you are importing new items daily or weekly, then your planning will need to be a bit more precise since you are moving a lot around. It is important to take into account a few factors:

• Your expectations and goals
• The significant distribution points or hubs for your supply chain
• Location of the key contacts for your new broker, and who they are
• The key transition items
• The parties involved, such as carriers or vendors (as some may still send data to your old broker if uninformed)
• The timeline for your transition

What To Look For In a Customs Broker

The right customs broker will be a smooth fit for your business and needs. Remember, just because a broker may have good reviews or reputation, it does not necessarily mean they will fit your business well. Each customs broker has their strengths and weaknesses. When considering hiring a broker, it is important to vet them properly and ensure that they can match your needs. Some things to look for include:

Accessibility: Your broker should be accessible to you when you need them, and provide you with responsive communication. This includes after hours contact info and a clear understanding of who you will be communicating with, in your agreement. They should be able to operate on a 24/7 basis.

Software: A broker that is best suited to you will have the software or technology to complete the tasks needed for your business. They need to have software to manage all your shipments and support your business in a timely manner.

Tailored To Your Needs: The right broker knows your industry and will be able to handle your volume of shipments. Regulations and rules are always changing, and they differ based on country and types of goods, so it is important to find a broker who has experience in your industry and can keep up with these changing regulations.

Port Locations: Your customs brokers location should be aligning with the ports you are shipping to. If you ship to multiple ports, then the right broker for you will have offices in the ports you are shipping into, while for instance, a smaller broker may have an office at one port specifically which is good if you ship to only one port primarily.

Legitimacy: A customs broker should be licensed and registered in the area they operate in, and have a good reputation. Their relationships with government entities or officials will also impact the efficiency of your customs clearance, so you will want to seek out a broker who is well connected or has strong relationships with government authorities where you ship the most.

When importing goods, there are many factors to consider. Customs brokerage is a big one, and it’s important you find a broker who understands the ins and outs of government regulations and can help you navigate the process for the best price possible. Be sure to research your customs broker. In today’s free trade environment, it’s more important than ever for importers to partner with a customs brokerage firm that understands their business and the industry.

Need to get your imports out of the country? Having trouble crossing the border? Our customs broker directory will help you find the contact information for your broker of choice, so you can get in touch easily. If you find yourself needing to get in touch with your customs broker but don't know who to call, we've got your back. The hand vetted Zipments Customs Broker Directory contains contact information for all Canadian brokers and over 25 US Brokers. You've got enough to worry about, and a customs broker should be the least of your worries.

Get Started Here 👉   Zipments.io