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Customs Brokers

People classed as Customs Brokers prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. The skills rated most useful are reading comprehension, active listening, and speaking. The job can ask you to pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments. The strongest interest signal is Conventional (6.1 of 7), then Enterprising (5.0) and Realistic, which gives it the code CER. Getting in usually takes one or two years of vocational training, an apprenticeship or an associate’s degree, a level O*NET calls medium preparation. People who want orderly work with data, records and clear procedures usually fit better here than those who need creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
  • Classify goods according to tariff coding system.
  • Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
  • Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
  • Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
  • Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.

Skills

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You like taking the lead and making the call.
  • You are willing to put in a year or two of focused training.
  • You are comfortable relying on reading comprehension and active listening.

May not suit you if

  • You get restless with routine, records and exact procedures.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You need to start within a few months, with no training period.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code CER takes the three highest, and Conventional comes first here.

Preparation

Medium preparation. Expect vocational school, an apprenticeship, related experience or an associate’s degree, usually one or two years in total.

Also called

  • Broker
  • CCS (Certified Customs Specialist)
  • Corporate Licensed Broker
  • LCB (Licensed Custom Broker)
  • LCB (Licensed Customs Broker)

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.