Customs Brokers

Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $80,730/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$48,220$133,720

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3% projected growth, 2024–2034 — about as fast as average.

About 33,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

Active ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingWritingService OrientationMonitoringActive LearningJudgment and Decision Making

Top knowledge areas

TransportationEnglish LanguageAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementGeography

Core tasks

• Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.

• Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.

• Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.

• Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.

• Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.

• Classify goods according to tariff coding system.

• Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.

• Sign documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Customs Brokers?

The median pay for Customs Brokers is $80,730 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Customs Brokers?

Employment for Customs Brokers is projected to change +3% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Customs Brokers?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Customs Brokers?

About 33,300 openings per year, on average, over the decade.