How to Become an Import/Export Broker

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1

Check your eligibility to become an import/export broker. Before a person can take classes to become a customs broker, he must be sure to qualify for licensing. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, over the age of 21 and they must pass a criminal background check for licensing. The U.S. government does not allow federal employees to obtain customs broker licenses.

2

Take a customs broker preparatory course. The CBP does not require a formal certification degree, but a person must pass the Customs Broker License Examination before applying for an import/export broker's license. Professional customs organizations such as the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. offer customs training and educational courses to prepare for testing.

3

Take the Customs Broker License Examination and pass with minimum score of 75 percent. The exam covers the various customs regulations and documents needed to import or export goods from the U.S. Import/export broker applicants will be required to know such subjects as The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, the code of federal regulations under title 19, and an understanding of the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements.

The Customs Broker License examinations are held twice a year, in April and October, at CBP service ports around the country. Import/export broker applicants taking the exam must prepay a fee of $200 thirty days prior to the test. For current information on testing requirements, information on required proofs of identification required, downloads of previous exams and their answer keys and to obtain the address of the nearest CBP service port in your area refer to CBP.com.

4

Submit a broker license application to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The CBP will send a confirmation letter once the Customs Broker Licensee Examination is passed. A copy of this letter is required as part of the broker license application. An application fee of $200 is required as well as other fees for a fingerprint background check and application processing. A criminal background check is required of all applicants requesting a custom broker's license. Import/export broker applications are submitted to the CBP port where the applicant plans to transact business.

5

Receive license approval by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The CBP port director, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Washington DC, and the Office of International Trade review all applications before final approval. All applicants are required to pass the application view and a federal background check investigation before receiving an import/export broker license. The CBP estimates the application process can take between eight to 12 months.