What Do Customs Brokers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Customs Brokers 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. They also prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.

Other tasks include:

• Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
• Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
• Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
• Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
• Classify goods according to tariff coding system.
• Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.

We asked Customs Brokers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Customs Brokers pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments. They prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.

• Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
• Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
• Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
• Contract with freight forwarders for destination services.
• Monitor or trace the location of goods.

We asked some Customs Brokers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	100% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	29% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	75% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	36% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	0% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	78% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Customs Brokers also maintain relationships with customs brokers in other ports to expedite clearing of cargo. They may also provide advice on transportation options, types of carriers, or shipping routes.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Customs Brokers Post bonds for the products being imported or assist clients in obtaining bonds. They might also Arrange for transportation, warehousing, or product distribution of imported or exported products.

In addition, they Confer with officials in various agencies to facilitate clearance of goods through customs and quarantine.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Apply for tariff concessions or for duty drawbacks and other refunds.

To some Customs Brokers, it is also their responsibility to Inform importers and exporters of steps to reduce duties and taxes.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Customs Broker, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/youre-a-what/customs-broker.htm