Shipping internationally will come with a range of regulations and restrictions. For one, there’s the customs clearance process that requires the inspection and clearing of goods before they can be imported or exported internationally.
With the rise of e-commerce, it’s easy to forget the complexities that come with international shipping. This is in part thanks to customs brokerage firms that help facilitate the logistics of shipping products across geographical borders.
What is Customs Brokerage?
Customs brokerage is the process of handling the formalities involved in shipping goods around the world. Specifically, it covers preparing the requirements for import and export, collecting duties and taxes, obtaining clearances and submitting paperwork to customs authorities.
This process is done by individual customs brokers or customs brokerage firms licensed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). They coordinate with shippers and customs authorities to ensure that goods are successfully imported to the destination country.
Importance of In-House Brokerage Services
International trade requirements and regulations differ from one country to another. To make matters more complicated, these regulations change constantly, sometimes on a daily basis. This makes international shipping difficult for businesses to tackle on their own.
An in-house brokerage service is a valuable resource for companies in the business of shipping products to customers. They handle customs technicalities so operations run smoothly and goods make it to an international customer’s doorstep. Armed with expert, updated knowledge and a wealth of experience, customs brokerage services help simplify the complex process of international trade.
3PLs that provide in-house brokerage services are able to offer their clients a more holistic logistic service and streamline their fulfillment process. WWL has recently acquired San Francisco customs brokerage house P. W. Bellingall, Inc. (PWB), allowing its clients to utilize customs brokerage expertise in-house and get their products across geographical borders with ease and confidence.