Customs broker fees are one of the least transparent parts of importing. You get a quote, then receive an invoice with 8 line items you weren’t expecting. This guide decodes every charge so you can compare brokers accurately and budget your true landed cost.
The Short Answer
For a standard ocean FCL (full container load) import with no complications, expect to pay:
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Entry filing (formal entry) | $150 – $400 |
| ISF filing | $25 – $75 |
| Subtotal (standard shipment) | $175 – $475 |
Add exam fees, PGA coordination, or air freight handling and the total rises. Details below.
Understanding Formal vs. Informal Entries
Informal entry: Shipments valued under $2,500. CBP processes these at the port without a formal entry filing. No broker required, and CBP charges no MPF (Merchandise Processing Fee) on informal entries.
Formal entry: Any commercial shipment valued over $2,500, OR any regulated commodity (food, drugs, vehicles, plants, animal products) regardless of value. Requires a licensed customs broker.
Section 321 entry: Individual shipments valued under $800 (de minimis). No duties, no broker required. This is the threshold used by direct-to-consumer e-commerce (SHEIN, Temu, etc.) — though CBP has proposed tightening this rule.
Core Broker Fee: Entry Filing
The entry filing fee is the broker’s core charge for preparing and submitting your CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary) and associated documents.
| Shipment Type | Typical Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard FCL ocean | $175 – $350 |
| Air freight (general cargo) | $150 – $300 |
| LCL (less-than-container-load) | $175 – $350 |
| Complex entries (multiple HTS lines, PGA) | $250 – $500+ |
| Informal entry assistance | $75 – $150 |
Brokers typically charge per entry, not per line item or per container. If you consolidate multiple products into one shipment on one entry, you pay one entry fee regardless of how many SKUs.
ISF Filing Fee
The Importer Security Filing (ISF) — sometimes called “10+2” — must be submitted to CBP at least 24 hours before a vessel departs the foreign port for the U.S. Your customs broker typically handles this.
- ISF filing fee: $25 – $75
- Late ISF penalty (CBP): up to $5,000 per violation — one of the most important reasons to use a broker who files on time
Some brokers bundle ISF into their entry fee; others charge it separately. Ask upfront.
Government Fees (Passed Through)
These are CBP and federal fees — your broker collects and remits them, but they’re not broker profit:
| Fee | Rate |
|---|---|
| Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) | 0.3464% of entered value; min $31.67, max $614.35 |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) | 0.125% of cargo value (ocean only) |
| Bond fee | Included if you use a single-entry bond; or $0 if you have a continuous bond |
Continuous bond vs. single-entry bond: If you import regularly (more than 3–5 times per year), a continuous bond ($500–$600/year from a surety) is cheaper than paying for a single-entry bond ($30–$100 per shipment) each time.
CBP Exam Fees
When CBP selects your shipment for physical examination, you pay exam fees that are entirely outside the broker’s control:
| Exam Type | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Intensive exam (CET) | $800 – $2,500+ (includes unloading, re-stuffing) |
| Tailgate exam | $200 – $600 |
| X-ray / VACIS | $0 – $150 (often absorbed) |
| Devanning/stuffing | $150 – $500 |
| Demurrage/detention | $100 – $500+/day if exam causes port delays |
Exam selection is largely random, but some commodities (electronics, food, apparel from certain origins) have elevated exam rates. Your broker may charge a handling fee of $50–$150 to coordinate the exam process.
PGA (Partner Government Agency) Fees
Many commodities require review by agencies beyond CBP. Brokers typically charge a PGA coordination fee of $35–$150 per agency per entry, plus any government-imposed fees:
| Agency | Typical Goods | Government Fees |
|---|---|---|
| FDA | Food, drugs, cosmetics, devices | $0 for most; user fees for drugs |
| USDA/APHIS | Plants, animal products, wood packaging | $0–$300+ per inspection |
| EPA | Vehicles, engines, chemicals | $0–$500+ (depends on category) |
| CPSC | Children’s products | $0 (CBP handles compliance) |
| ATF | Firearms, explosives | Varies |
| FWS | Wildlife, exotic species | $93/hour for inspections |
If your shipment needs FDA prior notice, USDA phytosanitary review, and a CPSC certificate, expect to add $150–$400 in PGA coordination fees on top of your entry fee.
Additional Services and Fees
| Service | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| New importer setup / POA processing | $0 – $150 (one-time) |
| AMS (Automated Manifest System) filing | $25 – $75 (ocean) |
| Customs bond procurement | $50 – $150 (single-entry); $500–$600/year (continuous) |
| Protest filing | $150 – $500 |
| Binding ruling request assistance | $200 – $1,000 |
| Duty drawback filing | 10–25% of recovered duties |
| Disbursement fee | 1–2% of duties advanced |
| Annual compliance review | $500 – $2,500 |
| HTS classification consultation | $100 – $300/hr |
What a Real Invoice Looks Like
Here’s a representative invoice for a $50,000 FCL ocean shipment from China:
| Line Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry filing fee | $275.00 |
| ISF filing | $50.00 |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) | $173.20 |
| Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) | $62.50 |
| AMS filing | $35.00 |
| Continuous bond (prorated) | $12.00 |
| Total broker + government fees | $607.70 |
| Import duties (varies by HTS) | Separate line |
This is a clean shipment — no exam, no PGA. Real complexity adds up fast.
How to Compare Broker Quotes
When requesting quotes from multiple brokers, ask for a rate sheet rather than a quote for a single shipment. Key questions:
- What is your base entry filing fee for an FCL ocean shipment?
- Do you charge separately for ISF, or is it bundled?
- What is your PGA coordination fee per agency?
- Do you charge a disbursement fee, and if so, at what rate?
- What is your exam coordination handling fee?
- Do you have a minimum per-entry charge?
- What is your new importer setup fee?
Watch out for:
- “Low” base fees with high add-on charges
- Per-page documentation fees
- “Communication fees” or generic “handling fees”
- Vague “miscellaneous charges” without definition
Bottom Line
Customs broker fees for a standard import range from $175 to $500+ for the broker’s own charges, plus CBP government fees (MPF + HMF) on top. The real costs spike when CBP selects your shipment for examination or when your goods require multiple PGA reviews.
The cheapest broker isn’t always the best value. Classification errors, late ISF filings, or missed PGA requirements can cost you far more in penalties and delays than any fee savings. Use our directory to compare brokers by specialty, port, and verified reviews — and always ask for a full rate sheet before committing.