Frequently Asked Questions

How do we confirm a customs broker is actually licensed?

Ask for the license number and filer code, then check CBP’s Permitted Customs Brokers Listing on cbp.gov, which CBP refreshes quarterly with filer codes and contact details. Status also matters, not just the license. Brokers have to file a triennial status report with CBP, and licenses are revoked by operation of law when they do not.

Does our broker need a permit at the port where our goods entered?

No. CBP eliminated broker districts and district permits effective December 19, 2022, and brokers now hold a single national permit covering customs business anywhere in the U.S. customs territory. For drawback, the claim is transmitted to a CBP drawback office and routed to the Center of Excellence and Expertise assigned to your company, so your entry port does not determine who can file.

What does CBP require licensed brokers to do to stay current on the rules?

Individually licensed brokers have to complete continuing education and report it with their triennial status report. The standing requirement is 36 credits per 3 year period. For the cycle ending January 31, 2027, CBP prorated that to 20 credits earned on or after January 1, 2025. Worth asking which accredited training the people actually assigned to your account complete.

Who has to sign the power of attorney for a drawback claim?

The broker has to execute the power of attorney directly with the drawback claimant. CBP does not permit a freight forwarder or other unlicensed third party to sign or negotiate it for you. If a forwarder signed your existing POA, it has to be replaced with one executed directly between your company and the broker.

What separates a drawback specialist from a general customs broker?

Entry filing and drawback are different disciplines. Drawback runs on 19 CFR 190: matching imports to exports at the 8 digit HTS level, applying for privileges like accelerated payment and waiver of prior notice, requesting manufacturing rulings where they apply, and holding records for 3 years past liquidation. Ask how many claims the broker files, who reviews a claim before transmission, and how they handle a CBP request for supporting records.

Are drawback filing fees set by CBP?

No. CBP licenses brokers but does not set or regulate what they charge. Because scope varies widely, compare what is actually included: historical data pulls, record retrieval from your systems and your customers, privilege applications, claim preparation and transmission, responses to CBP verification requests, and how amended or denied claims are handled.