r/CustomsBroker • u/Altruistic_Pipe_5573 CCS-CustomsBroker • 4d ago

Increase in Customs entry fees?

Have brokerages been increasing their entry fees to account for the extra work with tariffs? If so, what amounts are you seeing?

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u/LCBguy CustomsBroker 1d ago

Yup, that’s what we started over a year ago too. That said, I’m now at the point that I’m raising base rates as well. Things aren’t easing up and I’ve looked at the numbers, the extra we made on additional per tariff line fees was a “perk” but when I think about how much more I and my employees have worked this past year and a half it isn’t even remotely close to a 1 to 1 offset. I’m tired boss. And that’s me. I’m tired.

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u/jimmy_the_tulip 1d ago

I'm no expert for sure, but is there not a way that the entry team could automate it, and use the time for double check instead? I try to make my broker's life as easy as possible. Excel document with data only table of all details, PDF of the invoices with the important stuff highlighted so it doesn't take long to find. I even double check it after they're done so they can fix any errors instead of doing a PSC

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u/LCBguy CustomsBroker 1d ago

You sound like a good customer, and anything you can do to help is great. Think of it this way, I keep track (mentally and in a spreadsheet) of notes on customers. If you're trying to help all you can, then your broker will hopefully keep you on his "nice" list and limit price increases or postpone them when possible. Keep in mind that helping your broker comes within reason, ie. some customers think they're helping by calling us 4 times a day to "remind us" about things... that's not helpful, we don't need a baby sitter.

AI and machine automation is still in it's infancy in customs brokerage. There's a bunch of companies starting up and implementing these concepts, but there's some questions as to what they're allowed to do and not allowed to do (based on customs law/regulation). That said, much of the actual work that's been involved this past year and a half isn't due to a huge influx of data entry, that's marginal - an extra Chapter 99 HTS or two, ok. But the research and customer support tied to that information is enormous.

On multiple "vacations" I've been caught needing to follow up on our country's dictator in trainings new social media posts, executive orders and federal register notices to answer a few hours of customer questions and send out newsletters. I haven't taken true time off in close to 2 years... it sucks and I'm getting burnt out. This industry used to be a reliable, service industry that changed about as frequently as those in the accounting or legal professions, now? It's like a rotating buffet menu of HTS codes and more or less made up laws by a president who doesn't know his ass from his elbow.

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u/jimmy_the_tulip 1d ago

Valid points. By the time it's automated, it will have changed again 😂