Customs Brokers
Business Management & Administration > Operations ManagementProjected Growth: Average
Projected Job Openings
Medium Preparation Needed
Job Description
Your job is to 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.
Common job titles of Customs Brokers include:
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Experience and Education
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
45% said they needed a High School Diploma.
20% said they needed a Post-Secondary Certificate.
Tasks
Monitor or trace the location of goods.
Quote duty and tax rates on goods to be imported, based on federal tariffs and excise taxes.
Advise customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, or other customs-related matters.
Sign documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.
Classify goods according to tariff coding system.
Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
Contract with freight forwarders for destination services.
Confer with officials in various agencies to facilitate clearance of goods through customs and quarantine.
Arrange for transportation, warehousing, or product distribution of imported or exported products.
Post bonds for the products being imported or assist clients in obtaining bonds.
Provide advice on transportation options, types of carriers, or shipping routes.
Maintain relationships with customs brokers in other ports to expedite clearing of cargo.
Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
Obtain line releases for frequent shippers of low-risk commodities, high-volume entries, or multiple-container loads.
Apply for tariff concessions or for duty drawbacks and other refunds.
Inform importers and exporters of steps to reduce duties and taxes.
Prepare papers for shippers to appeal duty charges.
Insure cargo against loss, damage, or pilferage.
Suggest best methods of packaging or labeling products.
Tools
Tablet computers
Personal computers
Multiline telephone systems
Laser facsimile machines
Desktop computers
Computer data input scanners
Technologies
Automated commercial environment software ACE
Automated system for customs data ASYCUDA
Customs records databases
Electronic data interchange EDI software
Materials requirement planning MRP software
Optical character reader OCR software
Parts classification databases
All TechnologiesSAP Customs Management
Tariff databases
Skills
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Time Management
Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Instructing
Teaching others how to do something.
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Abilities
Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Written Comprehension
Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Cognitive Abilities › Verbal Abilities › Oral Comprehension