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How to Get Your Start in U.S Customs Brokerage

An aspiring customs broker finds out that he passed the customs exam

For most of the U.S population, customs brokerage is not a major talking point. In fact, customs brokerage is an industry that drives a nation but works in the background, like how the electrical wiring in your home is hidden but essential. For the few that think about brokerage, it can be a complex, exciting, and fulfilling job that opens up new ideas and perspectives. If you’re one of those people that find brokerage fascinating, we’ll take you through what you need to break into the customs brokerage industry.

Basic Requirements

According to U.S Customs and Border Protection, you’ll need to meet three eligibility requirements before you can become a customs broker. The three requirements include:

  • Be a U.S citizen 21 years of age or over
  • Not be a current federal employee
  • Possess good moral character

So if you’re old enough for a Bud Light, don’t work for the government, and aren’t a member of the mafia, you’re probably eligible to be a broker. Some companies prefer a bachelor’s degree, but it’s not required. This just covers eligibility; actually becoming a customs broker involves a few more steps.

Becoming A Certified Customs Broker

If you’re eligible, then the next step is to pass the Customs Broker License Exam. Before you freak out about the test, it’s an open book exam, so you needn’t stress about memorizing everything you’ll need to know. As far as what the test will go over, you can expect to see these topics:

  • The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)
  • Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations
  • Specified Customs Directives
  • Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements document (CATAIR)

These are the basics for a customs broker, so make sure to internalize all of this information. The test is four and a half hours long, and there is a $390 fee that needs to be paid a month in advance. If you receive a 75 percent or higher on the exam, congrats! You can move on to the next step, which is getting your customs broker license. Get ready to shell out another $200 for that, and to wait a while for background checks. Credit reports, arrest records, character references will all need to be reviewed before you are cleared. In the meantime, learn as much as you can about being a customs broker.

If you have any questions about customs brokerage or want to join our team, Cordova Brokerage can help. Contact us today for more information!

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Thinking of Using Cross Docking Services But Aren’t Sure if You Need Them? Let Us Help You Decide.

As a business who supplies products in different regions, it’s important to keep things moving. You know how critical it is to have your items be delivered on time. To help keep your supply chain in a healthy state, cross docking services can provide the peace of mind you need to feel better about your company’s ability to deliver.

The Basic Concept of Cross Docking Services

Cross docking allows companies to get their products from one place to the next using a large truck. The process generally involves one truck delivering the goods to a warehouse, where they are stored or delivered to their final destination. While there are different types of cross docking, the general concept is to get a large number of items to its final destination within a certain amount of time.

Benefits of Cross Docking

Leave the logistics of cross docking up to the service provider. As a company, you can benefit from cross docking in the following ways:

  • Items will arrive on time. Getting items delivered on time is key. Cross docking service providers know the correct amount of time needed to ensure correct delivery. You don’t want your items to get there too late or too early.
  • You’ll save time. If you’ve been scrambling to get things sorted out and have lost valuable time in the process, you can leave that in the past. When you hire a cross docking company, you’ll save a lot of time from not having to worry or plan out the delivery process.
  • If items are temperature-sensitive, they’ll be protected. With cross-docking, you have the option of requesting climate-controlled warehousing space so that items that need to be stored at a certain temperature will be protected.
    No more overloading trucks. When it comes to heavy cargo, leave it up to a professional cross docking company to make sure the truck is loaded according to the industry standards.

Contact Cordova Brokerage International to Learn More

Here at Cordova Brokerage International, we’re committed to providing the best cross docking services for our customers in El Paso. If you have additional questions or would like to get started, please connect with us today!