Employers

Customs brokers work at customs brokerage firms, import or export businesses, freight forwarding companies, and shipping lines. They also work as independent consultants, running their own customs brokerage businesses. There are 14,454 licensed customs brokers employed in the United States, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Starting Out

Once they have received their customs broker license, customs brokers may search for entry-level jobs through the Internet. Most customs brokers receive on-the-job training. They find listings on employment Web sites such as Indeed.com or SimplyHired.com, among others, as well as by searching job openings posted on the Web sites of customs brokerage companies and transportation and shipping companies. If you are still in school, ask your career services office for help in locating customs broker companies and part-time or summer job opportunities.

Customs brokers with three or more years of experience may advance to more senior-level roles in which they supervise other customs brokers and manage more clients. They may become managers or directors, responsible for hiring and training junior staff. Those with many years of experience in the field may become partners in large customs brokerage companies. Advancement can also come in the form of teaching and writing about the customs broker field.

Get an idea of what the customs broker license exam is like by reviewing past exams. Find them on the U.S. Customs and Border Protections Web site at https://www.cbp.gov/document/publications/past-customs-broker-license-examinations-answer-keys.

Conduct an online search for customs brokerage companies to learn more about the types of services they offer and industries that hire them. Use a search engine like Google or Bing and keywords "customs brokers" and "customs brokerage companies."

Ask your schools career services office to help you find a part-time or summer job in a customs broker company.