How to hire a licensed customs broker

How to hire a licensed customs broker, step by step

Here's a step-by-step licensed customs broker hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a licensed customs broker job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new licensed customs broker
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The licensed customs broker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A licensed customs broker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, licensed customs brokers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of licensed customs brokers.

   Type of Licensed Customs Broker	Description	Hourly rate
   Licensed Customs Broker		$16-37
   Broker	Brokers can either be a firm or an individual acting as an intermediary between a securities exchange and an investor. They often provide services to individual investors and traders who cannot engage directly with security exchanges, which only accept orders from their members... Show more	$32-109
   Customs Entry Writer	Customs entry writers are responsible for preparing, collating, and maintaining all documentation and records needed to clear goods through US customs. They should precisely classify all imported goods and then gather the important documentation, together with cargo-control papers, certificates of origin, and customs invoices... Show more	$17-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customs Compliance
   • Customs Brokers
   • Government Agencies
   • FDA
   • CBP
   • Customs Entries
   • ABI
   • US Customs
   • HTS
   • Forwarders
   • Broker License
   • ACH
   • ISF
   • USDA

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage all office relate matters to include accounting, international traffic and logistics.
   • Solicit profitable freight brokerage business by marketing transportation capability via direct sales calls, telephone and direct mail marketing activity.
   • Used AS400, tariff books and TSCA.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your licensed customs broker job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A licensed customs broker can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, licensed customs brokers' average salary in maine is 33% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level licensed customs brokers 56% less than senior-level licensed customs brokers.
   • Certifications. A licensed customs broker with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a licensed customs broker's salary.

   Average licensed customs broker salary

   $52,452yearly

   $25.22 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level licensed customs broker salary

   $34,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a licensed customs broker job description

   A job description for a licensed customs broker role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a licensed customs broker job description:

   Licensed customs broker job description example

   Savino Del Bene is a Global Freight Forwarding Company headquartered in Florence, Italy. With a network of more than 295 offices and over 5,500 employees across five continents, Savino Del Bene is one of the leading logistics company that offers import, export, customs brokerage services and warehousing third party solutions servicing several Vertical Markets. We are looking for an individual with a passion for the freight forwarding industry and customs brokerage and strong leadership skills.
   Essential Job Functions:
   Ensure harmonized tariff research, binding rulings, protests, duty rates, and valuation on import shipments into the United States are processed timely and efficiently in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
   Interface with U.S. Customs and other Federal agencies at the local and national level to ensure compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations as directed by the Imports Director.
   Provide consultation to customers on the importation of goods through U.S. Customs, governmental regulations/inspections, changes in import regulations, transportation, bonding/insurance requirements and general industry expertise.
   Ensure an appropriate level of communication with customs and other government agencies.
   Ensure that all rules pertaining to clearance of dutiable material are observed.
   Ensure timely release of all import material.
   Obtain pertinent documentation and data from consignees to effect timely release.
   Ensure successful implementation of new governmental systems as and when they are introduced.
   Ensure collection of fees when handing documentation over to other parties.
   Ensure collection of appropriate storage fees.
   Develop new areas and means of revenue generation.
   Stay informed and implement all new US Customs procedural and policy changes.
   Develop relationships with key brokerage customers.
   Ensure staff is effectively communicating externally and internally.
   Handle other Brokerage Department related functions as required.
   Effective Lead, Train and develop Brokerage Team
   Effectively manage performance of all staff in the Brokerage Department,
   Ensure that all Company and Branch goals are clearly communicated to staff.
   Must be able to work on site, this is not a remote role.
   Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.
   Qualifications Needed
   High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's desired.
   Valid Brokers License.
   Thorough knowledge of U.S. Customs documentation and regulations.
   Working knowledge of rules and regulations of the other government agencies (i.e.: FDA, USDA, DOT, FCC, etc.).
   The ability to respectfully integrate and communicate with U.S. Customs officials.
   The ability to deal and negotiate with senior customs officials.
   Strong leadership, communication and MS Office skills.
   Sponsorship is not available for this role

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find licensed customs brokers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any licensed customs brokers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level licensed customs brokers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your licensed customs broker job on Zippia to find and recruit licensed customs broker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit licensed customs brokers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new licensed customs broker

   Once you've decided on a perfect licensed customs broker candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new licensed customs broker first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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