Customs Brokers for Apparel & Textiles
Understand what a customs broker does for fashion importers and find brokers experienced with clothing, footwear and textiles.
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Customs Broker Resources
- More Customs Brokers
- Apparel Industry Customs Guide
- Customs Clearance Process
- Customs Broker Associations
- What is a Customs Broker?
- Selecting a Customs Broker
- What it Takes to Become a Customs Broker
- International Federation of Customs Brokers (IFCBA)
- Customs Agencies by Country
- U.S. Customs Service
Look up classification and duties
What Is a Customs Broker in the Fashion Industry?
A customs broker is a professional or company that specializes in the customs clearance of imported and exported clothing and fashion-related goods. Brokers make sure garments, footwear, textiles and accessories comply with the customs rules of the importing or exporting country. In the United States, brokers are licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
What a Broker Does for Apparel Importers
- Compliance: Navigates import and export rules, classification, valuation and origin requirements.
- Documentation: Prepares and files commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin and customs declarations.
- Duties and taxes: Calculates duties and helps you understand the cost of each style.
- Regulatory requirements: Helps with labeling, textile composition, safety rules and specialty materials such as fur or exotic skins.
- Communication with customs: Acts on your behalf when CBP has questions, holds or exams.
- Trade agreements: Helps claim preferential rates when goods qualify under programs such as USMCA or CAFTA.
- Record keeping: Maintains entry records for audits and future reference.
Broker fees are an added cost, but accurate filings can prevent penalties, delays and overpaid duties.
How to Choose a Broker
- Confirm the broker is licensed and ask about apparel and textile experience.
- Ask which ports and modes (ocean, air, truck, rail) they clear.
- Ask who files the Importer Security Filing (ISF) and how continuous bonds are handled.
- Compare fee schedules, technology and shipment visibility.
- Check references from other fashion importers.
See Selecting a Customs Broker for more.
Featured Customs Brokers for Apparel & Textiles
Expeditors InternationalGlobal logistics company known for customs brokerage, including expertise in apparel and fashion.
- Livingston International
Customs and trade compliance services, including solutions for apparel and textiles.
- A.N. Deringer
Customs broker and logistics provider with experience in the apparel and textile industry.
- Flexport
Modern international freight forwarder that also provides customs brokerage across industries, including apparel.
- C.H. Robinson
Global logistics provider offering customs brokerage for many industries, including apparel and textiles.
- BDP International
Full global logistics: freight forwarding, customs brokerage, NVOCC, tracking, transport and storage.
- Shapiro
Customs brokerage that helps companies navigate complex customs regulations, including apparel.
- Mohawk Global Logistics
Licensed U.S. customs broker and forwarder in Syracuse, NY; the fashion industry is one of its core client verticals.
- GHY International
North American customs brokerage and trade compliance firm founded in 1901, clearing goods across U.S. and Canadian borders, including apparel and accessories.
Customs Broker Directory
Looking for a forwarder too? Try the freight forwarder directory.
- ABC Logistics GroupKarachi, Pakistan
Air, ocean, customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution across Pakistan; specialty in textile traffic to Europe and North America.
- Agencia Aduanal Grupo Hernandez Garza, S.C.Mexico
Mexican customs broker; site in English and Spanish.
- Airschott, Inc
Ocean freight forwarder, customs broker, duty drawback specialist, charter broker and trucker.
- Alba Wheels Up International, Inc.Jersey City, NJ
Customhouse broker, international freight forwarder and logistics provider with over fifty years of experience, using specialized commodity teams and online tracking.
- Alexander International
Transportation, warehousing and logistics for domestic, export, import and customhouse brokerage freight.
- Beja Custom House BrokersLilburn, GA
Customs clearance for ocean, air, truck and rail shipments at all U.S. ports, freight arrangement, insurance and customs bonds for importers from small to Fortune 500, including textiles.
- BGL Brokerage Ltd.
Customs brokerage, freight forwarding, export, air freight and warehousing.
- Big Apple Customs Brokers, Inc.New York
Full service customs house broker and international freight forwarder.
- Bulgin & Stockwell InternationalAustralia
International door-to-door logistics, forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing and tariff consulting.
- Brown, Alcantar & Brown Inc.El Paso, TX
Customs brokers and forwarders serving the Mexican manufacturing industry.
- Canadian Society of Customs Brokers (CSCB)Canada
Association that works with Canadian customs brokers.
- Carmichael International Service
Customs broker and freight forwarder.
- Carson Customs Brokers USABlaine, WA
Customs brokerage at the Blaine, Washington border crossing.
- Chicago Customs BrokerChicago, IL
Customs clearance for importers and exporters in the Chicago area or any U.S. port.
- C.I.T. InternationalUnited Kingdom
Freight forwarding, air, sea and land cargo handling, and customs brokerage.
- ClearFreight, Inc.
Customs brokerage, air and ocean forwarding and freight insurance with a global agent network.
- Cole International Inc.Canada
Customs brokers, forwarders and consultants with over 50 years of experience.
- DA Customs BrokersDenmark
Customs brokers with tariff schedule knowledge who help choose carriers and routes.
- eCustoms Corporation
Develops import/export compliance software and operates a separate customs brokerage. Services: software, customs broker.
- Falcon Transportation & Forwarding Corp.
International air, ocean and trucking freight with export, domestic, import and customs house brokerage.
- Florida National Brokers, Inc.Miami, FL
Established in 1984 and knowledgeable in markings, quotas and classification of wearing apparel, including U.S. cut goods assembled abroad.
- General Transport Ltd.
Air, ocean, rail and road forwarding with logistics management and customs brokerage.
- G. & J. Leyshon & Sons Pty. Ltd.Australia
Customs broker and international forwarder handling all facets of imports and exports.
- Go Global LogisticsBoston, MA
U.S. customs broker, forwarder and supply chain consultant specializing in apparel and textile classification, duty calculation and trade programs. Services: customs broker, freight forwarder, supply chain management.
- Hellmann International
Freight forwarding, customs brokerage and custom-designed EDI services.
- IFCBA
International Federation of Customs Brokers Associations, bringing customs brokers and their associations together.
- International Activities Corporation
Licensed customs broker and freight forwarder.
- J.G. Eberlein & Co., Inc.
Customs house brokers specializing solely in the collection of drawback.
- J.M. Rodgers Co., Inc.
Licensed customs brokers, duty drawback specialists and freight forwarders.
- Jumbo Transport International, Inc.
International forwarder and customs house broker specializing in automobiles, loose cargo, containers and special projects.
- Kuehne+Nagel
Global logistics provider with air, sea and road freight, customs and contract logistics, including fashion and retail supply chains.
- NCBFAA
National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, the U.S. industry association for brokers and forwarders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a customs broker required to import apparel?
Importers can file their own entries, but most use a licensed broker because apparel classification, origin, valuation and labeling rules are detailed and mistakes can be costly.
What documents does a broker need from me?
Typically a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and a power of attorney. Depending on the goods, you may also need certificates of origin, textile declarations or other filings.
What is the difference between a customs broker and a freight forwarder?
A forwarder arranges transportation; a broker files import entries and pays duties on your behalf. Many companies provide both.
How much does a customs broker charge?
Fees vary by broker, port and entry complexity, and typically include an entry fee plus charges for bonds, ISF filing and other services. Ask for a written fee schedule.