Occupations · Business and Financial Operations

Customs Brokers

Prepare customs documentation and ensure that shipments meet all applicable laws to facilitate the import and export of goods. Determine and track duties and taxes payable and process payments on behalf of client. Sign documents under a power of attorney. Represent clients in meetings with customs officials and apply for duty refunds and tariff reclassifications. Coordinate transportation and storage of imported goods.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 13-1041.08

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.
Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.
Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.
Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.
Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.
Classify goods according to tariff coding system.
Sign documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.
Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.
Advise customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, or other customs-related matters.
Post bonds for the products being imported or assist clients in obtaining bonds.
Quote duty and tax rates on goods to be imported, based on federal tariffs and excise taxes.
Monitor or trace the location of goods.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Active Listening4.0

Reading Comprehension3.9

Writing3.8

Speaking3.8

Critical Thinking3.8

Active Learning3.2

Monitoring3.2

Learning Strategies3.1

Mathematics3.0

Science1.0

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Word●SAP software●Automated commercial environment software ACEAutomated system for customs data ASYCUDACustoms records databasesElectronic data interchange EDI softwareMaterials requirement planning MRP softwareOptical character reader OCR softwareParts classification databasesSAP Customs ManagementTariff databasesWeb browser software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Spend Time Sitting+1.8 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets−1.7 below average

Exposed to Contaminants−1.4 below average

Degree of Automation+1.4 above average

Spend Time Standing−1.4 below average

Written Letters and Memos+1.2 above average

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls−1.2 below average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2017-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)45%

Bachelor's Degree20%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)20%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)10%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2017-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Conventional6.1

Enterprising5.0

Realistic2.4

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving3.8

Judgment and Decision Making3.2

Time Management3.2

Service Orientation3.2

Coordination3.0

Social Perceptiveness3.0

Systems Analysis3.0

Negotiation3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

TransportationEnglish LanguageAdministrativeLaw and GovernmentCustomer and Personal ServiceComputers and Electronics

Abilities it leans on

Deductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionWritten ExpressionNear VisionOral Comprehension

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

ImporterExporterCargo AgentExport AgentEntry WriterCargo BrokerImport AgentCustoms AgentBoarding AgentCustoms BrokerCustoms AnalystAir Export AgentAir Import AgentImporter Exporter

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

ExporterImporterCargo AgentImport AgentEntry WriterCargo BrokerExport AgentCustoms AgentCustoms BrokerBoarding AgentCustoms AnalystAir Import Agent

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
import export specialist	3331.2.1	exact
import export specialist in china and other glassware	3331.2.1.5	broader
import export specialist in machinery, industrial equipment, ships and aircraft	3331.2.1.20	broader
import export specialist in fish, crustaceans and molluscs	3331.2.1.12	broader
import export specialist in agricultural machinery and equipment	3331.2.1.1	broader
import export specialist in agricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feeds	3331.2.1.2	broader
import export specialist in beverages	3331.2.1.3	broader
import export specialist in chemical products	3331.2.1.4	broader
import export specialist in clothing and footwear	3331.2.1.6	broader
import export specialist in coffee, tea, cocoa and spices	3331.2.1.7	broader
import export specialist in computers, peripheral equipment and software	3331.2.1.8	broader
import export specialist in dairy products and edible oils	3331.2.1.9	broader
import export specialist in electrical household appliances	3331.2.1.10	broader
import export specialist in electronic and telecommunications equipment	3331.2.1.11	broader
import export specialist in flowers and plants	3331.2.1.13	broader
import export specialist in fruit and vegetables	3331.2.1.14	broader
import export specialist in furniture, carpets and lighting equipment	3331.2.1.15	broader
import export specialist in hardware, plumbing and heating equipment	3331.2.1.16	broader
import export specialist in hides, skins and leather products	3331.2.1.17	broader
import export specialist in household goods	3331.2.1.18	broader
import export specialist in live animals	3331.2.1.19	broader
import export specialist in machine tools	3331.2.1.21	broader
import export specialist in meat and meat products	3331.2.1.22	broader
import export specialist in metals and metal ores	3331.2.1.23	broader
import export specialist in mining, construction, civil engineering machinery	3331.2.1.24	broader
import export specialist in office furniture	3331.2.1.25	broader
import export specialist in office machinery and equipment	3331.2.1.26	broader
import export specialist in perfume and cosmetics	3331.2.1.27	broader
import export specialist in pharmaceutical goods	3331.2.1.28	broader
import export specialist in sugar, chocolate and sugar confectionery	3331.2.1.29	broader
import export specialist in textile industry machinery	3331.2.1.30	broader
import export specialist in textiles and textile semi-finished and raw materials	3331.2.1.31	broader
import export specialist in tobacco products	3331.2.1.32	broader
import export specialist in waste and scrap	3331.2.1.33	broader
import export specialist in watches and jewellery	3331.2.1.34	broader
import export specialist in wood and construction materials	3331.2.1.35	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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