How Much Does a Customs Broker Cost in 2025? Complete Pricing Guide
Everything you need to know about customs broker costs: brokerage fees, government charges, hidden costs, and when it's worth paying for professional clearance services.
TL;DR — Quick Answer
Customs broker fees range from $35-175 per shipment depending on entry type and complexity:
- • Section 321 (under $800): $35-65 per entry
- • Formal ocean entry: $125-175 per entry
- • Formal air entry: $95-150 per entry
- • ISF filing: $50-85 per filing
- • Government fees: MPF ($31.67-614.35), HMF (0.125% of value), customs duties (0-37.5%+ depending on product)
Bottom line: For a $10,000 formal ocean shipment with 5% duty, expect ~$750-850 total cost (broker + government fees).
Table of Contents
1. Customs Broker Fees Breakdown
Customs broker fees are what you pay the broker directly for their services. These fees cover entry preparation, HTS classification, filing with CBP, release coordination, and record retention. Broker fees do NOT include government charges (covered in section 2).
| Service | Typical Range | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Section 321 (Type 86) | $35 - $65 | Entry filing, HTS code, release tracking |
| Formal Entry (Ocean) | $125 - $175 | Full entry prep, classification, duty calc, filing |
| Formal Entry (Air) | $95 - $150 | Same as ocean, typically faster processing |
| ISF 10+2 Filing | $50 - $85 | Importer Security Filing for ocean shipments |
| HTS Classification Review | $150 - $300 | Research & binding ruling prep (per SKU) |
💡 Pro Tip: What Affects Broker Fees
- • Complexity: Multi-line entries, PGA coordination (FDA, USDA) = higher fees
- • Volume: 100+ entries/month can get 15-25% discounts
- • Geographic location: Some brokers charge more for congested ports (NY/NJ vs. Savannah)
- • Speed: Rush processing may incur surcharges ($25-50)
2. Government Fees (MPF, HMF, Duties)
These fees are collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not the broker. Your broker will advance these fees and invoice you for reimbursement.
MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee)
- Rate: 0.3464% of shipment value
- Minimum: $31.67 per formal entry
- Maximum: $614.35 per formal entry
- Applies to: All formal entries (Type 01, 03, 11, etc.)
- NOT charged on: Section 321 de minimis entries under $800
Example:
• $5,000 shipment: $5,000 × 0.003464 = $17.32 → Minimum applies = $31.67 MPF
• $50,000 shipment: $50,000 × 0.003464 = $173.20 = $173.20 MPF
• $250,000 shipment: $250,000 × 0.003464 = $866 → Maximum applies = $614.35 MPF
HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee)
- Rate: 0.125% of shipment value
- Minimum/Maximum: None
- Applies to: Ocean shipments ONLY (not air freight)
Example:
• $10,000 ocean shipment: $10,000 × 0.00125 = $12.50 HMF
• $10,000 air shipment: $0 HMF (not applicable)
Customs Duties & Tariffs
Duty rates vary by product (HTS code) and country of origin. Rates range from 0% (many electronics, books) to 37.5%+ (footwear, textiles).
| Product Category | Typical Duty Rate |
|---|---|
| Electronics (laptops, phones) | 0% |
| Books, printed materials | 0% |
| Apparel (cotton shirts) | 16.5% |
| Footwear (leather shoes) | 8.5-37.5% |
| Furniture (wood) | 0-5% |
| Machinery (industrial) | 0-2.5% |
Additional tariffs: Section 301 tariffs (7.5-25%+) apply to certain China-origin goods. Anti-dumping/countervailing duties add 10-200%+ for specific products like steel, solar panels, etc.
4. Real-World Cost Examples
Example 1: $500 Apparel Shipment (Section 321)
Example 2: $10,000 Electronics (Ocean, 0% Duty)
Example 3: $25,000 Apparel (Ocean, 16.5% Duty)
Note: Duties are the largest cost component for dutiable goods. This is why accurate HTS classification is critical.
5. DIY vs. Hiring a Broker: Cost-Benefit Analysis
| Factor | DIY Clearance | Hiring Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Entry Cost | $0 broker fee (gov fees still apply) | $35-175 per entry |
| Setup Cost | ACE account setup; software ($200-500/mo); training | Free POA form; no setup fee |
| Time Investment | 2-6 hours per entry (learning curve) | 15 min to provide docs; broker handles rest |
| Penalty Risk | High (classification errors = thousands in penalties) | Low (broker liability insurance covers errors) |
| Break-Even Point | DIY only cost-effective for 1-5 shipments/year with simple goods (0% duty electronics, books) | |
🧮 When DIY Makes Sense:
- • You import 1-3 times per year maximum
- • Your goods are simple (books, electronics with 0% duty)
- • You have staff time to learn customs regulations
- • You're willing to accept penalty risk
✅ When a Broker is Worth It:
- • You import 6+ times per year
- • Your goods have complex classification or PGA requirements
- • You need fast clearance (time = money)
- • You want to avoid compliance risk
- • You value peace of mind over saving $100/entry
6. How to Choose a Cost-Effective Broker
✓ Get Quotes from 3-5 Brokers
Don't accept the first quote. Fees vary significantly. Request itemized quotes showing broker fee, MPF, HMF, and estimated duties separately.
✓ Ask About Volume Discounts
If you process 50+ entries/month, negotiate. Most brokers offer 15-25% discounts for high volume but won't advertise it upfront.
✓ Verify No Hidden Fees
Ask specifically: "Are there setup fees, monthly minimums, or per-line-item charges?" Some brokers charge $10-25 per additional line item.
✓ Check Specialization
Brokers specializing in your industry (apparel, food, machinery) often offer better rates because they process similar entries efficiently.
✓ Read Reviews & Check CBP License
Verify broker has active CBP license. Cheap brokers with poor service cost more in the long run (late fees, exam charges from sloppy filings).
7. Volume Discounts Explained
Most customs brokers offer tiered pricing based on monthly entry volume. Here's what to expect:
- • No discount
- • Typical: $125-175/entry
- • Email support
- • $95-130/entry
- • Dedicated account manager
- • Priority filing
- • 30-40% off standard rates
- • API integration
- • White-glove service
💡 Negotiation Tip
If you're at 75-90 entries/month, tell brokers you're "close to 100/month and growing." Many will give you the 100+ tier discount to win your business.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a customs broker cost per shipment?
Customs broker fees range from $35-175 per shipment depending on entry type. Section 321 (de minimis under $800): $35-65. Formal ocean entries: $125-175. Formal air entries: $95-150. ISF filing: $50-85. These are brokerage fees only; government fees (MPF, HMF, duties) are additional.
What government fees are charged in addition to broker fees?
Government fees include MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee): 0.3464% of value, minimum $31.67, maximum $614.35 per formal entry. HMF (Harbor Maintenance Fee): 0.125% of value for ocean shipments only. Customs duties: 0-37.5%+ depending on HTS code. Section 321 entries under $800 have no MPF, HMF, or duties.
Is it cheaper to do customs clearance yourself without a broker?
DIY clearance saves brokerage fees ($35-175/entry) but requires ACE account setup, HTS classification expertise, compliance knowledge, and staff time. Cost-effective only for very low volumes (1-5 shipments/year). Mistakes can cost thousands in penalties. Most importers find brokers cost-effective for 6+ shipments annually.
Do customs brokers charge monthly fees or minimums?
Most brokers charge per-entry only with no monthly minimums or setup fees. You'll need a Power of Attorney (POA) on file, which is free. Continuous customs bond is annual ($400-800/year) but not a broker fee—it's surety insurance required by CBP.
Are there volume discounts for high-volume importers?
Yes. Most brokers offer 15-25% discounts for 100+ entries/month, and custom enterprise pricing for 500+ entries/month. Volume clients also get priority service, dedicated account managers, and custom reporting.
What's the total cost to clear a $10,000 ocean shipment?
For a $10,000 ocean shipment with 0% duty: Broker fee $150 + ISF $65 + MPF $34.64 + HMF $12.50 + Bond (prorated) $40 = ~$302 total. With 5% duty: add $500 duty = ~$802 total. With 16.5% duty (apparel): add $1,650 duty = ~$1,952 total.
How can I reduce my customs clearance costs?
1) Get continuous bond instead of single transaction bonds if importing 6+ times/year. 2) File ISF and entry pre-arrival to avoid rush fees. 3) Ensure accurate HTS classification to avoid overpaying duties. 4) Negotiate volume discounts if processing 100+ entries/month. 5) Consolidate small shipments to reduce per-entry costs.
Do I need to pay the broker upfront or after clearance?
Most brokers invoice after clearance. New clients may be required to pre-pay or set up ACH auto-payment for government fee advances (MPF, HMF, duties). Established clients typically get net-15 or net-30 payment terms.
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