Freight forwarders and customs brokers

Many exporters, think that freight forwarders and customs brokers are two names for the same thing. This is further from the truth. Freight forwarders are defined as experts connected within the supply chain who concentrate on the logistics and physical transportation of cargo. They are in touch with any entity in the exporting process who handles or is aware of a shipment moving via truck, boat, plane or a combination thereof. In other words they are as “travel agents for cargo,” a third-party entity who sets a trip up, and then, for a sum of money, will facilitate that entire trip, including paperwork and documentation. On the other hand Custom broker is defined as a private individual, partnership, association or corporation licensed to assist importers and exporters in meeting country government 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. They must have expertise in the entry procedures, admissibility requirements, classification, valuation, and the rates of duty and applicable taxes and fees for imported merchandise.

Freight forwarders are the entities assisting for all transport, LR, from door to destination place and Custom brokers are the entities assisting in the lodgement of our Documents to the Custom Office and getting it cleared. Both entities many times are one. Freight forwarding and then customs clearance are the linked segment in supply and export/Import chain.