Working with a Customs Broker

The trading relationship between Canada and the United States is the largest in the world. For many companies, moving goods and services quickly and efficiently across the border is critical to their supply chain. That is where a Customs Broker comes in!

A Customs Broker’s job is to ensure that its clients’ shipments move across the border and reach their destination on time, adhering to customs laws and regulations.

An ideal Customs Broker is one that has offices located in every major commercial port of entry across the Canadian/U.S. border; a client service structure that enables you to work with a single contact; one that knows you and your business; one that provides specialized services to fit your needs and one that uses cutting-edge technology, such as, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and software solutions to streamline your trade activity and ensure compliance with customs regulations.

Customs brokers should be used as key consultants as customs requirements change. For example the most compelling reasons for using a Customs Broker by Canada Customs are:

1. 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.

A Customs Broker will assist the importer with the increased complexity of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) regulations, enabling him to take advantage of NAFTA and other trade agreement opportunities.

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 timely delivery of goods that is critical for good customer service.

2. Flexible staffing.

Customs Brokers have specialized customs knowledge and so free up the importer to concentrate on revenue competencies.

Customs Brokers create automated entry documents. This work is generally clerical in nature with some demand for knowledge of customs entry regulations.

Customs Brokers provide shipping advice and monitoring and tracking of goods.

3. Decreases of the importer’s fixed costs.

Customs Brokers provide:

IT support

Hardware

Software

Hardware/Software maintenance costs

Personnel and associated overheads

4. Passive Control.

5. Brokerage Fees.

Customs Brokers allow the importer time to take care of other aspects of the import business. The more complicated the shipment, the better it is to have the support of a Customs Broker. With a wide variety of goods under various classifications in one shipment, there are more chances for mistakes in documentation.

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