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5 reasons why your business should engage a customs broker

Hiring a customs broker helps your business to navigate any complex laws governing the importation of goods into a country.
Hiring a customs broker helps your business to navigate any complex laws governing the importation of goods into a country.
01 December 2019 •

The benefits of engaging a customs broker far outweigh the risks of managing the entire process in-house.

For companies with an international presence especially, staying abreast of the latest customs rules and regulations in multiple destinations is a tedious, time-consuming process that is commonly outsourced to a licensed customs broker with the necessary expertise and knowledge.

Here are the top five reasons why companies should consider engaging a customs broker to manage their export and import customs procedures:

1. Ensure compliance

In many countries, the customs laws and regulations tend to be complex and entangled by bureaucratic processes.

A customs broker would be most familiar with the most recent changes and would be able to advise on the mandatory documents required. It is also the custom broker’s responsibility to ensure the proper classification of goods in the documentation, and to prepare and submit the paperwork to the relevant government agencies on time.

Outsourcing these tasks will help companies avoid noncompliance issues and reduce the stress of in-house logistics professionals who may not be as well-versed in customs procedures as compared to a seasoned customs broker.

2. Avoid incurring penalties

Different countries operate under different parameters when calculating customs tariffs and duties.

Failure to abide by these rules can result in repercussions for companies, often in the form of financial penalties or prolonged delays that may affect the supply chain.

Having detailed knowledge of the rules and its exemptions means customs brokers can identify and calculate all duties and taxes quickly, with high levels of accuracy.

3. Real-time tracking

For companies importing goods, having shipment visibility allows for advanced planning that will help in facilitating customs clearance.

Customs brokers, who have access to the latest technologies and tools, can offer round-the-clock visibility across time zones if they assume the role of keeping track of global shipments on the company’s behalf. Should any issues arise, customs brokers can also step in to resolve complications as they are in constant interaction with customs officials.

4. Lower shipping costs

By engaging the services of a customs broker, the company has an opportunity to reduce overall shipping costs.

Depending on your company’s requirements such as cost and lead time, the customs broker will assist in selecting the optimal shipping option. They can also reduce unnecessary costs on imported goods in the form of exemptions on duties and taxes or late charges.

5. Give companies and employees peace of mind

Lastly, hiring an experienced licensed customs broker to take charge of the company’s import process helps ease the burden of employees who can then divert all their attention on the core business operations.

Handing over these responsibilities to a customs professional minimizes the company’s hassle, and may ultimately also result in higher productivity levels internally.

 

To find out more about customs brokerage matters, you can contact our DHL Global Forwarding team.