Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Corporate Licensed Broker
- Customs Broker
Alternate Job Titles
- Air Export Agent
- Air Export Operations Agent
- Air Import Agent
- Boarding Agent
- Cargo Agent
- Cargo Broker
- Cargo Office Agent
- Corporate Licensed Broker
- Customs Agent
- Customs Analyst
- Customs and Border Patrol Agent (CBP Agent)
- Customs Broker
- Customs Brokerage Agent
- Customs Brokerage Coordinator
- Customs Brokerage Entry Writer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Transportation
- English Language
- Administrative
- Law and Government
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
- Near Vision
- Speech Clarity
- Information Ordering
- Speech Recognition
- Category Flexibility
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Integrity
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Perseverance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Computer data input scanners
- Desktop computers
- Laser facsimile machines
- Multiline telephone systems
- Personal computers
- Tablet computers
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Spend Time Sitting
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Time Pressure
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Compliance Officers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Customs Brokers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $46,230 |
| Median | $78,420 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $130,030 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 397,770
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Freight Forwarders
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $49,900
Cargo and Freight Agents
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $49,900
Customs and Border Protection Officers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $76,290
Brokerage Clerks
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $62,940
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: $102,010
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.