US Customs Brokerage
Market Express coordinates licensed customs brokerage for importing goods into the United States. Our Service Partners handle entry filing, duty payment, ISF filing, and customs clearance.
What is Customs Brokerage?
A customs broker is a licensed professional who facilitates the import of goods into the United States on behalf of importers. They prepare and file entry documents with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), pay duties and tariffs, and ensure compliance with all import regulations.
Why you need a customs broker: US law requires that all commercial imports be cleared through customs by a licensed customs broker (unless you obtain your own customs broker license). Attempting to import goods without proper customs clearance results in cargo detention, fines, and potential seizure.
What Our Service Partner Customs Brokers Handle
- ISF (Importer Security Filing) - 10+2 filing required 24 hours before vessel departure
- Entry filing - CBP Form 7501 and commercial invoice submission
- Duty and tariff calculation based on HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) codes
- Duty payment on your behalf (reimbursed + broker fee)
- FDA, USDA, EPA, and other agency clearances (if applicable)
- Cargo release coordination with CBP
- Bond procurement (single transaction or continuous bond)
- Product classification and HTS code determination
Customs Clearance Process
ISF Filing (24 hours before arrival)
Importer Security Filing (ISF-10) filed with CBP 24 hours before ocean vessel departs foreign port. Required to avoid $5,000 penalty per shipment.
Entry Filing (upon arrival)
Customs broker submits CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary), commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading to CBP
CBP Review & Release
CBP reviews entry, calculates duties/tariffs, and releases cargo (typically 1-3 business days)
Delivery to Warehouse
Cleared cargo transported to Market Express warehouse via drayage carrier
Required Documents for Customs Clearance
1. Commercial Invoice
Detailed invoice from your foreign supplier showing: item description, HTS code, quantity, unit price, total value, country of origin, shipper/consignee information.
2. Packing List
Itemized list of all goods in the shipment, including carton count, weight (gross and net), dimensions, and cargo marks.
3. Bill of Lading (B/L) or Airway Bill
Ocean Bill of Lading (for sea freight) or Air Waybill (for air freight). Serves as proof of shipment and title document.
4. Arrival Notice
Notice from shipping line or airline that cargo has arrived at US port. Includes container/tracking number and estimated availability date.
5. Special Certifications (if applicable)
FDA prior notice (food/cosmetics), FCC compliance (electronics), USDA permits (agricultural products), etc.
Customs Bond Requirement
All commercial imports require a customs bond to guarantee payment of duties, taxes, and penalties. Bond amount must be at least the total value of duties you expect to pay per year.
Single Transaction Bond
- • For one-time or infrequent imports
- • Cost: ~$50-100 per shipment
- • Bond amount: duty value + 10%
- • Must purchase new bond each time
Continuous Bond (Recommended)
- • For frequent importers (recommended)
- • Cost: $400-500/year (minimum $50K bond)
- • Covers unlimited shipments for 1 year
- • Required if 6+ shipments per year
Duties, Tariffs, and Fees
Import duties are calculated based on your product's HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code. Rates vary widely - from 0% to 25%+ depending on product category and country of origin.
Typical Import Costs:
Common Customs Issues & How to Avoid Them
- Incorrect HTS Code: Wrong product classification leads to incorrect duty payment and CBP audits. Solution: Work with customs broker to verify HTS code before first shipment.
- Missing ISF Filing: $5,000 penalty per shipment. Solution: Provide ISF information 24+ hours before vessel departure.
- Undervalued Goods: Declaring artificially low value to reduce duties is illegal. Solution: Always declare true commercial value.
- Missing Certifications: FDA/FCC/USDA products require pre-approval. Solution: Verify regulatory requirements before shipping.
Customs Brokerage Pricing
All customs brokerage fees, duties, and tariffs are pass-through costs at cost + 10%. Market Express coordinates the service but does not mark up government fees or duties.
Typical Broker Fees
- • ISF Filing: $35-75 per shipment
- • Entry Filing: $75-150 per entry
- • Exam Assistance: $150-300 (if CBP inspects)
- • Continuous Bond: $400-500/year
Government Fees (Passed Through)
- • Customs Duties: Varies by HTS code
- • MPF: 0.3464% of value
- • HMF: 0.125% of value (sea freight)
- • Section 301 Tariffs: 25% (China goods, if applicable)
Important Information
- Service Partner Delivery: Customs brokerage is performed by licensed customs brokers, not Market Express directly
- Pass-Through Pricing: All duties, tariffs, and broker fees are passed through at cost + 10%
- Your Responsibility: You must provide accurate commercial invoices and product descriptions
- Duty Payment: You reimburse Market Express for duty payments made on your behalf
- Clearance Time: Typical clearance takes 1-3 business days; CBP exams can add 3-7 days
Ready to Import Smoothly?
Market Express coordinates licensed customs brokerage for all your US imports. Our Service Partners handle entry filing, duty payment, and customs clearance.