Okuzeka
International Trade vocabulary · Customs and Tariffs

Customs broker

Meaning in international trade, with examples

nounCore term

In international trade, customs broker means: A licensed professional or company that prepares customs declarations and handles clearance on behalf of importers and exporters.

In Turkish: gümrük müşaviri, gümrük komisyoncusu

How it is used

The usual American term; in the UK and Europe 'customs agent' or 'customs representative' is common. Clients send the broker the invoice, packing list and transport document, and the broker files the declaration and reports the duties to be paid.

Example sentences

  1. Our customs broker needs the HS codes before he can file the declaration.

  2. The customs broker called to say the shipment was selected for inspection.

Common collocations

  • licensed customs broker
  • appoint a customs broker
  • customs broker fees
  • through a customs broker
  • customs clearanceThe process of completing all customs formalities and paying any duties so that goods are allowed to leave or enter a country.
  • customs declarationThe official form, usually submitted electronically, in which a company tells customs what goods it is importing or exporting, with their value, origin and classification.
  • freight forwarderA company that organizes the transport of goods for exporters and importers, booking space with carriers and often handling documents, insurance and customs.
  • HS codeA number that classifies a product in the Harmonized System used by customs worldwide; the first six digits are the same in every country.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Customs and Tariffs

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level: