Business & Finance
Customs Brokers
Also called: Broker, CCS (Certified Customs Specialist), Corporate Licensed Broker, LCB (Licensed Custom Broker)
US median pay
$80,730
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
32,700
436,400 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Confer with officials in various agencies to facilitate clearance of goods through customs and quarantine.
- Obtain line releases for frequent shippers of low-risk commodities, high-volume entries, or multiple-container loads.
- Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
- Advise customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, or other customs-related matters.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.2/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
- Service Orientation3.0/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
- Negotiation3.0/5
Knowledge
- Law and Government4.3/5
- Administrative4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Transportation3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.