Post job

Customs brokerage agent vs freight broker

The differences between customs brokerage agents and freight brokers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a freight broker has an average salary of $52,390, which is higher than the $48,655 average annual salary of a customs brokerage agent.

The top three skills for a customs brokerage agent include customer service, data entry and government agencies. The most important skills for a freight broker are TMS, logistics, and FTL.

Customs brokerage agent vs freight broker overview

Customs Brokerage AgentFreight Broker
Yearly salary$48,655$52,390
Hourly rate$23.39$25.19
Growth rate-5%
Number of jobs26,1037,528
Job satisfaction3-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age4443
Years of experience--

What does a customs brokerage agent do?

A customs brokerage agent is primarily in charge of preparing and processing shipments for import and export, focusing on the documentation procedures. It is their duty calculate taxes, process payments on behalf of the clients, coordinate and track shipments until it gets to their destination, and conduct assessments and reviews to ensure the shipments comply to laws and regulations and all declaration documents are accurate. Moreover, when issues arise, a customs brokerage agent is responsible for representing the client.

What does a freight broker do?

Freight brokers have licensed property brokers who provide assistance to shippers in hauling materials. Their job involves linking carriers and shippers in hauling materials. They take part in the shipping logistics of organizations or companies. Among the matters they negotiate include tracking of shipments, keeping delivery and pickup tracks, and shipping rates. Among the necessary skills for this job include customer service, negotiation, communication, and marketing.

Customs brokerage agent vs freight broker salary

Customs brokerage agents and freight brokers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Customs Brokerage AgentFreight Broker
Average salary$48,655$52,390
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $74,000Between $35,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between customs brokerage agent and freight broker education

There are a few differences between a customs brokerage agent and a freight broker in terms of educational background:

Customs Brokerage AgentFreight Broker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford University-

Customs brokerage agent vs freight broker demographics

Here are the differences between customs brokerage agents' and freight brokers' demographics:

Customs Brokerage AgentFreight Broker
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 43.8% Female, 56.3%Male, 64.6% Female, 35.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 6.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 12.9% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between customs brokerage agent and freight broker duties and responsibilities

Customs brokerage agent example responsibilities.

  • Manage all office relate matters to include accounting, international traffic and logistics.
  • Classify merchandise accordingly to U.S. Customs guidelines for importation (FDA, OGA, HTS, & ABI).
  • Process all entries via ABI so that all CBP and other government agency requirements are fulfilled.
  • Comply and provide all require information for FDA entries.
  • Provide support to analysts and agents with service providers (transportation, broker, forwarders).
  • Provide daily support to import manager and supervisor by presenting daily statements to CBP for duties paid.
  • Show more

Freight broker example responsibilities.

  • Manage EDI transmit pricing on orders from customers.
  • Manage, inspect, photograph, and create reports biweekly for U.S. department of HUD and Fannie Mae assign properties.
  • Book dry and refrigerate freight for FTL and LTL loads.
  • Specialize in working with power only units and flat beds experience in working with FTL, and LTL shipments.
  • Create, develop and retain business relationships with shippers.
  • Provide RFP's for large company customers
  • Show more

Customs brokerage agent vs freight broker skills

Common customs brokerage agent skills
  • Customer Service, 43%
  • Data Entry, 30%
  • Government Agencies, 7%
  • Entry Processing, 3%
  • US Customs, 3%
  • Customs Regulations, 3%
Common freight broker skills
  • TMS, 19%
  • Logistics, 18%
  • FTL, 17%
  • Shippers, 12%
  • LTL, 4%
  • Freight Carriers, 4%

Browse business and financial jobs