Freight glossary
Customs broker
A licensed specialist who files your import entry with customs, classifies goods and calculates duties and taxes.
A customs broker is licensed to submit customs entries on your behalf. They classify goods under the correct HS code, calculate duties and taxes, prepare the documentation, and act as your representative with the customs authority.
Forwarders like Rumbo either hold brokerage capability or work with licensed brokers on each lane, so clearance is part of the shipment rather than a separate scramble at the border.
Why it matters
Clearance errors are a top cause of delays and penalties. A broker gets the entry right the first time so cargo isn't held.
Example
Your broker files the entry the day the vessel arrives, pays the duty, and the container is released without demurrage.
Related terms
Ready to ship?
Get an itemized Rumbo quote in seconds — freight, customs, duties and our margin, all in plain sight.