Why It's Good to Have a Customs Agent Work With Your Company
When you import or export goods into or out of the country, you are typically not required to have a customs broker manage your paperwork or any part of the process. However, legally required or not, using a customs agent can be the best choice for many companies, in order to ensure this process goes smoothly and to reduce the risk of facing unexpected fees when at the border. A customs agent or broker can even potentially lower your costs of importing and exporting; note how this is and why it's beneficial to work with such a professional.
Prohibited and restricted goods may change often
The list of items that are prohibited and restricted may change somewhat often, and this is true of virtually any country into which you are importing goods. These restrictions typically apply to materials that are considered toxic, but note that this can include ingredients in cosmetics, materials used for construction, auto parts, paints and adhesives, and the like. Never assume that your items are too common to ever face such restrictions! Because this list can change often, it's good to work with a customs broker so you can ensure you always have a current list and are not going to have your items turned away at the border.
Along with goods that are restricted no matter their origin, countries may frequently change their laws about what can be imported or exported from other countries, no matter the goods in question. Countries use trade restrictions as political and economic manoeuvres, and these restrictions can include countries that previously had free and open trading for many years and decades. A customs broker can not only keep you informed of such restrictions but can also note any developing threats of trade embargos, so you can prepare your own trade routes and purchasing decisions accordingly.
You may be overpaying on duties and taxes
The duties and taxes you need to pay on items you import or export often depend on how they're classified but may also depend on how much you ship at once. If you don't use the right classification or could be using a different class to describe your goods, or could ship them in different quantities, this could save you a tremendous amount of money in duties and taxes. A customs broker will know the various classifications and may be familiar with different shipping methods that could then lower your costs of importing and exporting overall.
