Customs Brokerage Pass clearances effortlessly and cut down transit times with Intesup.

With our customs brokerage service, you’ll be saving time and money by streamlining all of your customs procedures.

We’ll take care of it all. Our worldwide team of experts works closely with foreign trade professionals so we can always stay on top of the world’s customs and regulations.

By combining full compliance with all of the latest tax and customs laws, we assure some of the lowest clearance times and applicable tariffs you can find with a trade partner.

Our professionals will always assist you in clearing your goods through customs in the fastest way possible – all by complying with all the latest rules and regulations at both the starting point and the final destination of your products.

We offer our customs brokerage services on four continents – Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

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Customs Brokerage FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a customs broker to export?

There is no legal requirement for you to hire a Customs Broker to clear your goods. However, many importers opt to do so for the convenience. Customs Brokers are licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct CBP business on behalf of importers.

What is a Customs exam?

A Customs exam is either an X-ray, Tail Gate, or Intensive exam.

How does Customs select shipments for exams?

CBP (Customs Border Protection) selects shipments for examination based on a targeting system that applies a score to each shipment. If the score is over a certain number, it triggers further review and possibly an exam.

CBP keeps the specifics of the targeting system confidential, but certain factors tend to affect exam selection. For example, first-time importers are inspected at a much higher frequency than importers who have an established record shipping into the country.

Where does Customs get information about my shipment?

CBP collects data from sources including:

  • Automated Manifest System (AMS)
  • Importer Security Filing (ISF)

Based on the data and subsequent targeting score CBP may then put a variety of holds on the shipment for further action before it can be released or possibly detained for an X-ray, Tail Gate, or Intensive

What is an ISF?

An Importer Security Filing (ISF), also known as “10+2,” is a filing required by the CBP that documents importing information and details, as shipments pass from point to point. Importers who do not file the ISF properly prior to the shipment of their goods will be penalized (US$5,000 fine). The ISF must be transmitted at least 24 hours prior to an ocean’s shipment’s departure to the United States.

What’s the Difference Between a Customs Release and a Customs Entry?

CBP Form 3461 is the document submitted electronically to U.S. Customs, where they either release the shipment or designate it for exam. CBP form 7501, the Customs Entry, is used to calculate duties and provide detailed information.

How Do I Estimate Customs Duties?

If you know the HTS code the product you’re importing, you can estimate the customs duties you will need to pay.

How Can I Prevent Customs Exams?

Customs exams are random, but there are ways to minimize the risk of a customs exam.

There’s nothing you can do to guarantee that your shipment won’t be pulled for an X-ray, Tail Gate, or Intensive exam, because U.S. Customs selects shipments at random.

However, it is possible to minimize the risk of a Customs exam by:

  • Shipping FCL instead of LCL. LCL shipments are more likely to be flagged for X-ray exams than FCL shipments.
  • If you’re shipping LCL, choose Flexport’s in-house LCL service. Intesup is selective about what goods are consolidated into an LCL shipment, so if you’re shipping with Intesup LCL, you’ll see a lower rate of inspection and delay.