How to Become an Import Broker
An import broker, or customs broker, serves as a link between importers and government authorities, ensuring that all imported goods comply with federal customs regulations. As an import broker, you must posses highly specialized knowledge of trade regulations, import quotas and restrictions, tariff structures and valuation methods. The process of becoming an import broker involves a rigorous examination, a thorough background check and an individual review by authorities at the US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
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Things You'll Need
- $420 for examination, license and fingerprint fees
- Current credit report
Instructions
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Determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria set forth by CBP for import brokers. According to CBP.gov, an applicant for a Customs Broker License must be a United States citizen of at least 21 years of age, and must be shown to have good moral character through an extensive background and fingerprint check.
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Obtain study materials and prepare for the Customs Broker License Examination. There are a number of online educational institutions offering training programs designed to assist you in passing the license exam. You may choose to study on your own with the specific sources used to generate the exam questions.
Follow the link at the end of this article to find an example of an online training course, but remember that there are many more to choose from. For self study, use the following resources available from the Government Printing Office:
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the US (HTSUS)
Code of Federal Regulations - Title 19
Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements Document -
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Schedule and complete the license examination at the CBP service port closest to the port that you wish to use for your brokerage business. Testing takes three to four hours, and you can use your study materials during the test. Bring at least the HTSUS and a specified version of Title 19 with you for use during the exam. To pass, obtain a score of 75 percent or higher on the 80 question multiple choice test. Bring the $200 examination fee with you the day of the test.
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Apply for a Customs Broker License with CBP after receiving notification that you have passed the exam. Submit two copies of the Customs Broker License Application to the service port director of the port in which you wish to conduct business. Include the $200 license fee and the $20 fingerprint fee with your application, as well as documentation proving your successful completion of the license examination. The Broker Management Handbook also recommends that you attach a current credit report to your application, although this information will be obtained during your background check. Follow the link at the end of this article to find the Customs Broker License Application form.
After your application has been reviewed and approved, you may begin to conduct business as an import broker in the port where your application was filed.
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