Customs Broker Salary

The main job of the custom broker is to act as middlemen in the process of sending the goods or products to their planned destinations by clearing them through the customs formalities on the behalf of the clients who are importing and exporting them. There are many customs agencies, large importers and exporters who employ customs brokers to execute their transactions in an organized manner. By gaining considerable experience as a customs broker, you can shift your career to the managerial jobs or jobs in freight transport. There are many customs brokers who have started their own ventures or have become business partners with established importers and exporters. Most of the work of customs brokers is at the receiving ports. However, people eager to make a career as a customs broker should understand that customs broker salaries can fluctuate based on the demand for imports and exports among different countries.

How to Become a Customs Broker?
For becoming a customs broker, the educational requirement is that the candidates should have completed secondary school or have a high school diploma. The first step will be visiting the United States Customs and Border Protection website and check out all the information about the eligibility criteria and pre-requisites of becoming a customs broker. You can find an online customs broker training course to increase your knowledge and prepare well for the Customs Broker License Examination. Locate the port where you would love to work and submit your application form to the port, well in advance by paying the fees. If you clear the exam, you will get a letter from the institution after which you can immediately apply for a customs broker license. The letter issued to you is valid for three years only. Once the United States Customs and Border Patrol agency issues you the license, you can start working and earn well.

Customs Broker Salary Details
A customs broker salary or customs broker pay, depend on factors such as experience, company in which you are working, your location of job, etc. As per a survey, the average custom broker salaries have been around USD 45,000. However, customs brokers who are freshmen or under training earn anything in between USD 20,000 and USD 25,000. For those with experience between two to five years can expect to earn anything between USD 30,000 to USD 45,000. Highly experienced and skilled customs brokers can earn more than USD 100,000.

Tasks Performed by Customs Brokers
Following are the tasks performed by licensed custom brokers:

• Customs brokers help to process shipments in time through the customs by clearing the goods
• They file the information in an electronic way with CBP
• Providing consulting services
• Freight forwarding
• Customs brokers play a vital role in the trade compliance programs

Important Duties of Customs Brokers
The following are the important duties of a customs broker:

• Preparing the important documents for import and export of goods on behalf of the clients by following the customs rules and regulations
• Using the power of attorney to sign the documents on behalf of the clients
• Customs brokers can quote the price for the customs duty and tax rates
• Customs brokers are actively involved in arranging for storage and transportation charges on goods, bonds for covering the dutiable goods and payment of the duties and taxes
• Guiding clients on the lines of insurance of goods and about the laws which restrict imports and exports
• Representing the clients in government offices

Advantages of Becoming a Customs Broker
The following are the advantages of becoming a licensed customs broker:

• The licensed customs broker salary has shown a rising trend, since the past few years, due to the growing demand for their services
• A customs broker license adds weight to your resume and opens up bright future career prospects
• No college attendance is required to get the customs broker license and the tuition fees are easily affordable
• With the license of a customs broker, you can either work in a customs brokerage firm or be your own boss by starting a business or consultancy agency

In the United States of America, you can get customs broker jobs in Chicago, New York-Manhattan, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Miami as per some job surveys. If you have the skills set needed for this career, you will definitely go a long way in a relatively short period.