Licensed Customs broker will submit and prepare documentation to inform or obtain/get clearance from government offices such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Fish and Wildlife Service, just like what ISF import agent does. They can arrange the domestic freight truck / transhipment (i.e., local freight, domestic freight truck) of stock through trucking companies. Most licensed customs broker specialize in certain merchandise like attire, perishables, or clearing the crew and manifest of huge cargo vessels. Most are found at major airport or terminals and harbors with international traffic. In any case, with the approach of the Automated Broker Interface and rules permitting licensed customs broker to be allowed nationally (as opposed to specific ports), licensed customs broker / ISF Import agent is no longer need to be located near at the port.
These are the definitions as a licensed customs broker
- Licensed Customs Broker = Messenger between Customs & Importer: To transmits importer info/documents, way it was received from you & your-vendors, to Customs.
- Licensed Customs Broker = is NOT a Messenger between you & your-vendors (Factory / Supplier / Forwarder / Warehouse / Shipping-company / CET-Exam-Site, US Agencies & etc.)