Video | Courier Services Offer Customs Brokerage. What Is The Difference?

In this video we highlight the difference between customs broker services offered by a courier and a dedicated customs brokerage firm.

The advantage of using a broker:

Risk Management

• A customs broker will ensure that the importer is meeting the many new conditions under Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) on-site compliance. The CBSA has embarked on a new and aggressive method of checking compliance - new on-site compliance will target all importers taking advantage of NAFTA, duty reductions, and other duty relief programs.
• A customs broker will assist the importer with the increased complexity of NAFTA regulations, enabling him to take advantage of NAFTA and other trade agreement opportunities that can have a significant impact on the firm's bottom line in reducing duties and taxes
• A customs broker stays abreast of the growing number of rules, regulations, and conditions that allow the importer to qualify for NAFTA.
• A customs broker provides the timely delivery of goods, which is critical for good client service.

Flexible Staffing

• Customs brokers alleviate the need for importers to have staff with specialized customs knowledge and so frees up the importer to concentrate on revenue-generating core competencies.
• Customs brokers manage peaks and valleys of importing volumes, creating automated entry documents from previously classified goods. This work is generally clerical in nature with some demand for knowledge of customs entry regulations.
• Customs brokers provide post-entry work that may take the form of a refund or other payment amendment request to the CBSA. Changes in information regarding the description, value, quantity or origin of the imported goods often require further processing.
• Customs brokers provide shipping advice and monitoring and tracking of goods.

Decreases The Importer's Fixed Costs

Customs Brokers Provide:

• IT support
• Hardware
• Software
• Hardware/Software maintenance costs
• Personnel and associated overheads
• Passive Control New technology on the part of the customs broker gives importers the ability to gain control over importing information without taking on the function (e.g. web-based trade information management solutions).

Brokerage Fees

Customs broker fees are usually only a small portion of your company's overall importing cost.

If you are importing or exporting goods into Canada or the USA, Pacific Customs Brokers can help. Please contact us for Canadian and U.S. customs brokerage, trade and customs compliance consulting, international freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution services. 

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