Customs Brokerage

Importing into and exporting from the US is a highly regulated process involving over 45 federal agencies. The central and most involved agency is Customs and Border Protection. As the largest law enforcement agency in the US, CBP is responsible for the regulation of the import process and administration of the regulations for numerous other agencies. 

A licensed customs broker can be invaluable to a trading company, especially when navigating complex regulations and requirements. Customs brokerage brings real expertise to companies and helps customers avoid unnecessary costs and delays by managing the customs clearance process. Customs brokerage helps customers remove the overheads of dealing with customs and other government agencies, allowing them to focus on the management of their core business.

They can be, and many customs brokers have a local presence near popular import destinations. However, systems like the Automated Broker Interface mean that many customs brokerage duties can be performed remotely, without requiring a local presence.

According to CBP, you’re not legally required to use a customs broker to clear your goods. However, it’s often a good idea to use a licensed broker as they can ensure that your paperwork is completed and filed correctly, and help you avoid delays and meet regulatory requirements. 

Ultimately, it is the importer that must comply with CBP rules and regulations. Although a licensed customs broker can provide many services when importing goods, the legal responsibility for imports falls to the importer of record.

A customs clearance broker is specifically focused on getting goods through customs and having them released by CBP. A clearance broker helps to navigate the regulatory and licensing process, ensures that all of the necessary paperwork is completed and filed, and troubleshoots any issues with the entry or exit of goods.

GEODIS customs brokerage is a complete, end-to-end service that facilitates the customs clearance process for importers and exporters. A team of GEODIS experts acts as intermediaries on behalf of our clients. We interact with government agencies throughout the importation and exportation process, ensure that all the proper customs procedures have been followed, secure the lawful release of cargo, facilitate the payment of duties, taxes, and fees, and ensure that all government requirements have been satisfied.

GEODIS offers several value-added services, including Importer Security Filing and management services, foreign trade zone (FTZ) services, Merchandise Processing Fee savings initiatives, C-TPAT counseling, and Trade Services consulting including product classification, customs audit program, duty drawback, and reconciliation. 

We perform a customs brokerage daily entry process for our client accounts as follows: 

1. Receive documents from suppliers and importers. 
2. Review documents for discrepancies and inconsistencies.
3. Follow up on any additional actions or information to ensure complete and compliant entries.
4. Review the invoice product classification against the database provided by our clients. 
5. Processed entries using the Customs Automated Broker Interface (ABI) system.
6. Prepare and transmit entries to CBP within five days of arrival, based upon document receipt.
7. Monitor product entry status for any irregularities or delays such as manifest holds, audits, or inspections. 
8. Communicate cargo releases and dispatch delivery orders accordingly.

GEODIS US customs brokerage operates in 13 offices throughout the country. Practices can vary from port to port, and our staff are experts in the practices at their specific ports. Staff also develop relationships with personnel at their ports and their local carriers to facilitate the smooth flow of cargo within each port. Offices are not limited to filing entries in their local port, however, as each office is able to transmit entries into any port in the country. This allows certain clients to be centralized where all of their entries are handled by a single office which creates greater efficiencies and enhanced compliance. 

Our customs experts will handle all import and export customs declarations for your goods in due time, and work with local customs authorities according to local constraints and agreed conditions. We will accurately carry out the movements of your goods to facilitate your international flows in a customs territory.

GEODIS believes strongly in sharing our knowledge and experience for the benefit of our clients. We offer several client education channels including seminars, email notifications, knowledge bases, account management, and other forums.