United States Customs Brokerage

We are experts at importing goods into the United States.

Clearing US Customs since 1995

Near North Customs Brokers US, Inc. ensures your goods clear United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as quickly and efficiently as possible, regardless of the port of entry or means of transportation.

The laws governing the import of goods, and proof of their compliance, are much more complex than the laws governing business in the United States.

We have deep knowledge of U.S. customs law and the regulations of various government agencies that also govern the import of goods into the U.S. — which means we ensure clients import their goods at the lowest lawful cost with the least amount of red tape. Then we arrange the payment of duty payable to CBP.

We specialize in shipments coming from Canada

A unique circumstance exists in commercial transactions between Canada and the United States. The Canadian company that exports product to the U.S. generally takes the responsibility for the import of goods into the U.S. The Canadian exporter becomes the non-resident U.S. importer of record.

This helps Canadian companies compete side by side with U.S. companies selling similar product and ensures that cross-border entry processing be lightning fast and efficient.

Our Expertise

Our licensed customs brokers and specialists at our U.S. office are experts when it comes to the import and export of goods in the United States. Learn more about our expertise.

Tariff Classification

Tariff classification is key in establishing the rate of duty on imported items and in determining eligibility under preferential trade agreements. All commercial and ProForma invoices must contain the ten-digit Harmonized System (HS) classification codes for all products on the shipment at time of customs release. Erroneous classification can result in penalties, re-delivery requests, or loss of import entry privileges.

Count on Near North, with our in-depth knowledge of customs tariffs and their legal and interpretive rules, to determine the tariff classification of your imported goods and to manage your compliant classification database.

Free Trade Agreements

Free trade agreements such as the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA/USMCA) grant importers substantial or complete elimination of customs duties on qualifying goods. In order to benefit from such advantages, importers must ensure that their imported goods are covered by valid Certificates of Origin at the time of import. If called upon, exporters issuing free trade Certificates of Origin must be prepared to provide to customs authorities, satisfactory evidence that the goods qualify under the rules of origin.

We help you interpret free trade agreement rules of origin and determine the originating status of a good.

Compliance Audits

Customs compliance is enforced through periodic spot check verifications, full audits, and the imposition of penalties for failure to comply.

We guide our clients through this arduous process. We focus on the areas that CBP has identified as problematic: internal processes and controls (record keeping) related to customs activities; tariff classification; customs valuation; the proper application of CUSMA/USMCA tariff treatments; the quality of the import documentation supplied to CBP; country of manufacture markings and labeling of goods; and labeling requirements of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

We can review your current practices and guide you to full customs compliance well before CBP calls on you.

Quick, effective and personalized service with smartborder.com

Ninety-eight per cent of our shipments are processed within 20 minutes of receipt of the documents. With the help of the most customs compliant software available at SmartBorder.com, our qualified staff will see to it that all of the U.S. government’s many requirements and our clients’ expectations are met.

To ensure the accuracy and uniformity of your customs entries, we have computerized profiles for all accounts. This way, you are assured that your entry information is consistently applied. If you prepare your documents using the client login of SmartBorder.com, you ensure your shipment data is being chosen from the same data we use for submission of your entries to CBP. This includes tariff classification, product descriptions, CUSMA/USMCA application, country of origin, FDA data, and much more.

CTPAT Certified

We believe in supply chain security. As with our Canadian counterpart, Near North Customs US, Inc. is a certified supply chain filer through the United States Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT). We are also FDA Paperless.

Learn more about US Import Security

Our Services

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ACE Truck eManifest filing

The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Emanifest is a truck carrier program for filing the truck Manifest with U.S. Customs and Border Protection. You can apply for a login to the program though us to file your own Manifest. Or, we can file your ACE Truck eManifest for you.

Learn more about ACE

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Importer Security Filing

Any shipment arriving in a US seaport by ocean vessel requires the U.S. importer to file the Importer Security Filing (ISF) at least 24 hours before the ship sails from the foreign port.

All you need to do is provide the information and we do this filing on your behalf.

Learn more about ISF

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AES Filing

Any used vehicle leaving the United States for Canada – including heavy equipment, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc. – must have an AES filed at least 72 hours before the export occurs. The port where the export is taking place must then be notified in advance with a copy of the filing and all other required documents.

We do the filing and coordinate with each Canadian importer and/or U.S. exporter.

Learn more about AES