Below are some of the most frequently asked questions…
- What is a Customs Broker? - Customs brokers are private individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assist importers and exporters in meeting Federal requirements governing imports and exports. Brokers submit necessary information and appropriate payments to CBP on behalf of their clients and charge them a fee for this service. Brokers must have expertise in the entry procedures, admissibility requirements, classification, valuation, and the rates of duty and applicable taxes and fees for imported merchandise. There are approximately 11,000 active licensed Customs brokers in the United States.
- What is a Customs Brokerage? – Corporations, partnerships and associations must have a broker license to transact Customs business. Each of these businesses must have at least one individually licensed officer, partner or associate to qualify the company’s license. Failure to have a qualifying officer or member (of a partnership) for more than 120 days will result in the revocation of the broker license.
- Why do I need to fill out a Power of Attorney?- the Power of Attorney (POA) can authorize the movement of conveyances and merchandise into the United States. Customs Brokers need to have the POA complete and accurate as the POA is the authorization given by the importer to present documents and represent the importer to Customs on the importers behalf.
- Are all Customs Brokers the same? - All Customs Brokers have passed the Customs Brokers license but that’s where the similarity ends. Depending on their years of experience and the different types of commodities handled each Broker will have varying expertise. AllpointZ CHB has handled a wide variety of commodities and are well versed from food to steel.
- What do I need to start importing? – It all starts with you filling out a POA and contacting AllpointZ. We will guide you through all the necessary documentation and necessary bonds if needed. Anyone can import you just need to have a SSN and if you are a company just provide a Tax ID#.
- Can you help me find a importer or company that sells a product I want to buy? – Each importers information is kept private legally by the completion of the POA. We are not allowed to share any information on the sourcing of products by our importing partners. The Broker in Customs Broker is the handling of documents on the importers behalf. We are not in the business of setting up deals and prefer to be kept out of all business transactions.
- What is a Freight Forwarder? – arranges cargo movement to an international destination. Also referred to as international freight forwarders, they have the expertise that allows them to prepare and process the documentation and perform related activities pertaining to international shipments. Some of the typical information reviewed by a freight forwarder is the commercial invoice, shipper’s export declaration, bill of lading and other documents required by the carrier or country of export, import, or transshipment
