Sourcing glossary
Customs broker
Also known as: Customs agent, Licensed customs broker, Customs clearance agent
A licensed professional or firm that prepares and files import declarations with customs on the importer's behalf, including classification, valuation and payment of duties and taxes.
In most countries customs brokerage is a licensed profession: in the US brokers are licensed by CBP, and in Korea licensed customs brokers (관세사) handle most commercial import declarations on the importer's behalf. Many freight forwarders offer brokerage in-house or through a partner, so a single quote may include it.
A broker files the entry for you, but they do not take over your legal responsibility. As importer of record, you remain accountable for the HS code, value and origin declared, so send the broker accurate invoices and product details and ask them to explain any classification they choose. See how to find the right HS code.
Related terms
Guides that use this term
Compliance
Is Your Order Too Small to Import from China? A Break-Even Test
Why 20 units or a US$100–500 budget rarely pays to import from China: per-shipment fixed costs, a simple break-even test, and six options for small buyers.
Updated 2026-10-19 · 7 min read
Compliance
Importing from China to Peru: SUNAT Duties, IGV, Thresholds and the FTA
How a Peruvian importer clears goods from China: the US$200 and US$2,000 thresholds, ad valorem 0/6/11%, IGV and IPM, IGV perception, customs agents and the China FTA.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 6 min read
Compliance
Import Taxes from China to Mexico: Duty, IVA, DTA and the 33.5% Courier Rate
What a Mexican importer pays on goods from China in 2026: IGI by tariff line (5–50% since January), 16% IVA, DTA, antidumping quotas, the 33.5% courier rate, an example.
Updated 2026-10-14 · 7 min read
Shipping
Shipping Small Orders from China to Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Peru
Courier, air or sea for a first order from China to Latin America, the customs thresholds and taxes in Brazil, Mexico and Peru, and how consolidation works.
Updated 2026-10-10 · 8 min read
Shipping
Shipping from China to Amazon FBA: Rules, Options and Pitfalls
How to ship inventory from China into Amazon FBA in the US: carton and pallet limits, labels, importer of record, DDP forwarders, AGL and prep centers.
Updated 2026-09-20 · 6 min read
Compliance
How to Calculate Landed Cost When Importing from China
A step-by-step landed cost formula for China imports: product cost, freight, insurance, duty, VAT, fees and delivery, with why US and EU/UK duty bases differ.
Updated 2026-09-17 · 6 min read
Part of Tariffs & Compliance.