Custom House Brokers License # 22341
Filer Code BFO
Customs brokers are regarded as highly-trained professionals in the importing industry. They are licensed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Customs brokers must be extremely knowledgeable of how to properly use the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States together with the Customs Regulations and stay up-to-date with the latest amendments and continuous changes in law, regulations, and administrative procedures.
The broker's job is quite complex. Consider that every shipment arriving in the U.S. comes in to the jurisdiction of over 1,300 pages of regulations and thousands upon thousands of tariff classifications that must be narrowed down to one that meets the exact legal description of the imported article. The broker must be able to properly classify an article and must also be able to correctly determine the dutiable value. Some commodities are subject to quota and the broker must be fully aware of all requirements concerning each and every commodity under quota.
Brokers also assist clients with logistics and transportation and also advise clients on the best routes for the movement of their freight. Estimates for landed costs, payments for goods through drafts or letters of credit, insurance, and re-delivery of cargo when there is more than one port of destination are all examples of additional assistance that one may be able to obtain from a broker.
In working with Customs, brokers must stay abreast of all issues at hand, including the handling of cargo, appraisement of merchandise, currency exchange rates, and regulations concerning duty computation.
Haines is ABI (Automated Broker Interface) certified. By filing entries electronically through this system, releases can be obtained from Customs in the least amount of time. We are able to file Customs entries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Besides United States Customs, the broker may be in contact with over 40 other Government agencies that have jurisdiction over the importation of certain products. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) handles vehicle emission standards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) handles vehicle safety standards, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) handles food safety.
Haines International can receive FDA releases electronically through the ABI system. This helps immensely in reducing the time it requires to get a perishable shipment from the pier or airport to your loading dock.
It is quite easy for us to be your broker.
You may complete the client info sheet and mail or fax it to us.
Then you must download or print our Power of Attorney form, complete it, and mail it back to us.
You can then give us a call prior to arrival of your freight and we shall arrange for Customs clearance and all other necessary services that may be required.
