How to Become a Customs Broker
If you are a United States citizen at least 21 years old and have a high school diploma, you can become a customs broker. This career offers great opportunities for growth and requires minimal training. Customs broker jobs are in demand. Follow the steps below to get started in this high-income career.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
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1
Visit the United States Customs and Border Protection website and type the words "customs broker" in the search box, then press the green "Go" button.
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2
Select the "Becoming a Customs Broker" link and read the different sections.
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3
Meet eligibility requirements as listed under the "Who is eligible to become qualified as a Customs broker?" heading.
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4
Find a customs broker training course. There are no required number of credit hours, so online courses and seminars are ideal.
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5
Study for the Customs Broker License Examination.
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6
Locate the port where you want to transact customs business as a broker. Scroll down to the "Customer Broker License Examination" heading and click on the word "Port." Go down the list of states and select the appropriate port.
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7
Submit examination application to the port with fee 30 days in advance. Take and pass the Customs Broker License Examination.
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8
Receive your notification letter verifying that you passed the exam. Submit a broker license application within 3 years from the date of the letter, along with appropriate fees, to the port.
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9
Wait for your application to be approved by the United States Customs and Border Patrol agency.
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10
Become a certified customs broker. Start looking for customs broker jobs, work as a freelancer or open your own customs brokerage.
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Comments
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supplychain701
Nov 02, 2009
I just passed the Oct 2009 Customs Broker Exam with a score of 85%. A co-worker and I shared a DVD course from American Customs. I don't think you can pass just by buying books - some of the information is too complicated and requires someone to explain it to you, especially classification and valuation. I sent my fingerprint card in and now just waiting for them to process my license. -
cubby21
Jul 25, 2009
this article is extremely mis-leading. the process for application is simply as is any application, however the test is extremely difficult and I would NOT recommend ANYONE without AT LEAST 10 years experience open up their own Custom House Brokerage Firm.... fines, penalties and imprisonment are the punishments for failure to understand and follow the US Code of Federal Regulations 1-399 as well as Tax Law.
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jbnh
May 16, 2009
I found this article to be extremely helpful. I really like the step-by-step guide to getting educated, finding and getting a customs broker job, many articles tell you where to get your education and stop at that, it is nice to see that this one has a plan set up for you for after the educational process. I find that many of these articles are WAY more helpful and informative than the usual articles on starting a new career!
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Prefernottosay
Jul 08, 2008
This is somewhat correct. However you forgot to add the details. For one, the exam is extremely difficult. And with no real world experience? You are almost guaranteed to fail. For instance the April 2003 exam had a national passing rate of 2%! And up to 80% of licensed attorney's (people who passed the bar exam) fail the brokers exam. And guess what? Passing it is just the start. Afterwards you have to apply to the Department of Homeland Security to actually become a Customs broker. They will do an intensive background investigation and you will be interviewed by an agent from DHS who will recommend yes or no on the license. Remember when you skipped class and were arrested at 16 years old for smoking a joint in the high school bathroom? Your dad hired a $500/hr lawyer and the court "expunged" the arrest from the records. Or did they? Application DENIED. How about your credit? Ev
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Prefernottosay
Jul 08, 2008
This is somewhat correct. However you forgot to add the details. For one, the exam is extremely difficult. And with no real world experience? You are almost guaranteed to fail. For instance the April 2003 exam had a national passing rate of 2%! And up to 80% of licensed attorney's (people who passed the bar exam) fail the brokers exam. And guess what? Passing it is just the start. Afterwards you have to apply to the Department of Homeland Security to actually become a Customs broker. They will do an intensive background investigation and you will be interviewed by an agent from DHS who will recommend yes or no on the license. Remember when you skipped class and were arrested at 16 years old for smoking a joint in the high school bathroom? Your dad hired a $500/hr lawyer and the court "expunged" the arrest from the records. Or did they? Application DENIED. How about your credit? Ev
