From the course: International Logistics
Customs clearance specialists
- Getting your shipment through import customs can be very challenging because the policies and procedures are usually very complex. For example, tariffs, taxes and fees are calculated differently for different goods coming into a country. And some countries have international trade agreements which allow different calculations for these charges. Delays in customs clearance can cause delivery delays which will create unhappy customers in the end. So it helps to have an expert process your goods through customs. That's why many companies hire Customs Clearance Specialists often called customs brokers to smooth out these processes. In fact, customs clearance procedures in some countries are so complex that the government requires importers to use a customs broker. The World Bank, for example, estimates that it takes over 1300 hours of work to clear goods through customs in Venezuela. Few importers can manage such complexity. in the US, the process takes only about 10 hours. However, customs brokers must pass rigorous tests to become certified to manage shipments through customs clearance. Certified brokers can certainly help you reduce paperwork errors and delays. Customs brokers represent the importer, so they normally specialize in the laws of that particular country. They charge a fee for each shipment they process. And as you can imagine, the fee varies widely from country to country. And in-depth knowledge of all customs procedures can streamline the process and eliminate transportation delays. That's a significant advantage if on time delivery is important for your company.
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