U.S. Customs Broker List: What Importers Need to Know
As of May 21, 2026, the CBP-maintained U.S. customs broker list remains the definitive record of who is legally authorized to conduct customs business on behalf of U.S. importers. With trade enforcement tightening and importer liability increasing, knowing how to read, use, and act on this list has never been more important.
What Happened
The U.S. customs broker list is not a single published document — it is the living registry of active broker licenses maintained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under 19 CFR Part 111. Every licensed customs broker in the United States holds a unique CBP-issued license number tied to this registry.
In recent months, CBP has intensified its triennial status reporting enforcement cycle under 19 CFR 111.30. Brokers who fail to report their status every three years — confirming they are still actively engaged in customs business — risk having their licenses revoked or placed on inactive status. CBP’s Office of Trade has been systematically removing non-compliant license holders from active status, which means the practical size of the active broker pool is smaller than the raw license count suggests.
As of May 2026, approximately 11,000 individuals and firms hold active CBP customs broker licenses. That number spans all 50 states and every major U.S. port of entry — sea, air, land, and rail. However, not all of those brokers are accepting new clients, operating near your port, or experienced in your commodity type.
The practical implication: importers who rely on informal broker referrals or unverified contacts without checking license status are taking on real compliance risk. A power of attorney signed with an unlicensed or suspended party does not transfer liability away from the importer.
Definition Block — Customs Broker License: A customs broker license is a federal authorization issued by CBP under 19 USC 1641 that permits an individual or firm to transact customs business — including filing entry documents, paying duties, and communicating with CBP — on behalf of importers and exporters. No person may conduct customs business for compensation without a valid, active license.
Why It Matters to Importers
When an importer works with an unlicensed party posing as a customs broker, the legal exposure falls entirely on the importer. CBP holds the importer of record responsible for the accuracy of every entry filed under their name, regardless of who prepared it.
Beyond the legal risk, there is a practical one: the broker list is not easy to search on CBP’s own website. The agency’s lookup tool returns raw data with no filtering by specialty, port, or contact information. That friction pushes importers toward whoever Google surfaces first — which is not always a licensed broker.
Here is how the current state of the broker list affects key stakeholders:
| Affected Party | What Changes | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| First-time importers | Higher risk of hiring unlicensed parties without a verification step | High |
| Established importers changing brokers | Must re-verify license status before executing new power of attorney | Medium |
| Freight forwarders referring brokers | Liability exposure if referral is to an inactive license holder | Medium |
| E-commerce / FBA importers | Often skipping broker verification entirely — a growing compliance gap | High |
| Licensed brokers with active status | Competitive advantage as inactive licenses are removed from market | Low |
Affected Goods, Industries, or Trade Lanes
License verification matters most where CBP scrutiny is highest. Industries and trade lanes where working with a properly licensed, experienced broker is non-negotiable include:
- Pharmaceuticals and medical devices — subject to FDA entry review in addition to CBP; brokers must understand dual-agency requirements. Browse pharmaceutical specialty brokers.
- Food and agricultural products — USDA and FDA hold authority alongside CBP; incorrect classification can trigger holds at the port.
- Automotive parts and vehicles — subject to Section 232 tariffs, DOT/EPA admissibility requirements, and frequent AD/CVD exposure. Check antidumping and countervailing duty orders before entry.
- Electronics from China — remain subject to Section 301 tariffs across multiple HTS chapters. Verify classifications at hts.usitc.gov.
- Chemicals — EPA TSCA compliance, REACH data requirements, and hazmat documentation all require specialized knowledge.
Ports with the highest volume of licensed broker activity — and therefore the deepest bench of specialists — include Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/Newark, Miami, Houston, Chicago O’Hare, and Laredo. Browse brokers by U.S. port of entry.
What Importers Should Do Now
Follow these six steps to protect yourself and find the right broker:
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Verify license status before signing anything. Check your current or prospective broker’s license number against CBP’s official records at CBP.gov or confirm it through CustomsBrokerIndex.com’s verified listings. A license number is not optional — ask for it.
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Confirm the broker is active, not just licensed. A license that exists in the registry is not the same as an active, compliant license. Ask the broker directly when they last filed their triennial status report under 19 CFR 111.30.
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Match broker specialty to your commodity. A general-practice broker may not be equipped to handle FDA Prior Notice requirements, Section 301 exclusion claims, or USDA permits. Use specialty filters to find brokers who handle your goods regularly. Browse by specialty.
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Confirm port coverage. Brokers are permitted to operate at any port, but experienced, physically present brokers at your specific port of entry will have faster examiner relationships and a shorter response time on holds. Browse by state to find regionally active firms.
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Review the broker’s approach to ISF filing. Importers of ocean freight must file an Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) at least 24 hours before loading. Ask any broker candidate how they handle ISF and who is responsible if a late filing penalty is assessed.
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Get a formal fee schedule in writing. Broker fees vary significantly by entry type, port, and commodity. Request an itemized quote that distinguishes customs brokerage fees from freight, drayage, and government exam fees before committing.
For importers evaluating specific firms, profiles of established brokers like Davidson and Sons, Interglobo Customs Broker Inc, and Soo Hoo Customs Broker offer a useful benchmark for what a professional, experienced firm looks like.
Background Context
CBP has regulated customs brokers since the Customs Brokers and Customshouse Brokers Act, codified in 19 USC 1641, first established licensing requirements to protect importers from unqualified agents. Today’s regulatory framework under 19 CFR Part 111 requires brokers to:
- Pass the CBP Customs Broker License Examination (a rigorous four-hour, 80-question test with a historical pass rate below 25%)
- Submit to a background investigation and fingerprinting
- Maintain a valid license through triennial status reporting
- Execute a written power of attorney with every client before filing entries
- Comply with record-keeping requirements for five years after the date of entry
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) represents licensed brokers at the federal level and provides additional professional development resources. For binding classification and admissibility questions, brokers and importers can request a ruling through CBP’s Binding Rulings database.
If your supply chain involves bonded warehousing or third-party logistics alongside customs clearance, understanding how those services interact is worth reviewing. 3PL with customs clearance and warehousing explained covers the operational overlap in detail.
The International Trade Administration at trade.gov publishes additional resources on import regulations, country-specific requirements, and trade agreement eligibility that complement the work your customs broker will do at the port.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U.S. customs broker list?
The U.S. customs broker list is the official registry of individuals and firms holding active CBP-issued broker licenses, maintained under 19 CFR Part 111. It includes roughly 11,000 active license holders covering all 50 states and every major U.S. port of entry. Importers use it to verify that a broker is genuinely licensed before handing over a power of attorney.
When was the customs broker list last updated?
CBP updates its official broker license records on a rolling basis as licenses are issued, revoked, or suspended. As of May 2026, the most recent full reconciliation of active individual and organizational licenses reflects CBP’s current enforcement posture, including stricter triennial reporting compliance requirements under 19 CFR 111.30.
Who appears on the U.S. customs broker list?
Any individual or business entity holding an active CBP customs broker license appears on the list. This includes sole-practitioner brokers, multi-agent brokerage firms, and freight forwarder companies that also hold a brokerage license. Unlicensed freight forwarders, 3PLs, and trade consultants do not appear and are legally prohibited from transacting customs business on behalf of importers.
What should importers do right now to use the broker list effectively?
Importers should verify any broker they work with — or plan to work with — against CBP’s official records or a verified directory like CustomsBrokerIndex.com. Confirm the broker’s license number, check that the license is active, and ensure the broker has experience with your specific commodity type and port of entry. Never sign a power of attorney with an unlicensed party.
Where can importers find official broker licensing information?
The authoritative source is CBP.gov, where the agency publishes broker licensing data and enforcement actions. For a searchable, filterable interface with direct broker contact information, search all CBP-licensed customs brokers on CustomsBrokerIndex.com — every listing includes a verified license number, location, and specialty information.