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Customs Broker

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AVG. SALARY

$68,420

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Customs Brokers Career Video

About This Career

Prepares customs documentation and ensures that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determines and tracks duties and taxes payable and processes payments on behalf of client. Signs documents under a power of attorney. Represents clients in meetings with customs officials and applies for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinates transportation and storage of imported goods.

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management and Regulations pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Prepares and processes import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
  • Clears goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
  • Pays, or arranges for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
  • Calculates duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
  • Requests or compiles necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
  • Classifies goods according to tariff coding system.
  • Stays abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
  • Signs documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.
  • Advises customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, or other customs-related matters.
  • Posts bonds for the products being imported or assists clients in obtaining bonds.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Overtime work
  • Weekend work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Corporate Licensed Broker