V. Alexander Customs Broker: What Importers Should Know
V. Alexander & Associates is one of the most searched customs broker names in the United States — and for good reason. As of October 2026, importers researching their brokerage options regularly turn up this firm as a reference point when evaluating established players in the customs clearance space. Whether you’re comparing brokers, vetting a referral, or simply researching your options, here is what you need to know about V. Alexander, what they offer, and how to find the right licensed customs broker for your specific needs.
What Is V. Alexander & Associates?
Licensed customs broker: A person or company holding a valid CBP-issued license under 19 USC § 1641 that is authorized to transact customs business on behalf of importers before U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
V. Alexander & Associates is a Memphis, Tennessee-based customs brokerage and international freight forwarding firm founded in 1932. That makes it one of the oldest continuously operating customs broker firms in the country — nearly 94 years in business as of 2026.
The company provides a range of import services including:
- Customs clearance — filing entry documents and managing the release of goods through CBP
- Tariff classification — determining the correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code under the U.S. HTS (hts.usitc.gov)
- Duty calculation and payment — computing applicable duties, taxes, and fees owed to CBP
- ISF filing — Importer Security Filing (10+2) required for ocean shipments at least 24 hours before departure
- Freight forwarding — coordinating ocean, air, and ground transport in addition to brokerage
The firm operates under one or more CBP-issued broker licenses and maintains relationships at multiple U.S. ports of entry. Their client base has historically included mid-size and large importers in textiles, apparel, electronics, and retail merchandise — many sourcing from Asia.
To verify any broker’s CBP license number directly, visit CBP.gov or use the search tools at CustomsBrokerIndex.com.
Why Importers Research V. Alexander
V. Alexander surfaces frequently in importer searches for several reasons:
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Longevity. A firm operating since 1932 has institutional knowledge that newer brokers cannot replicate. They have operated through major tariff regime changes, trade agreement transitions, and supply chain disruptions.
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Memphis hub advantage. Memphis is home to one of the world’s busiest air cargo hubs — FedEx World Hub — making it a strategically important location for time-sensitive imports. Brokers based in or near Memphis have deep familiarity with the Port of Memphis and surrounding land-side logistics.
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Multi-modal capability. V. Alexander handles air, ocean, and ground freight alongside customs clearance, which appeals to importers who want a single point of contact for end-to-end logistics.
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Industry breadth. The firm’s history in textiles and apparel — industries with complex quota histories and country-of-origin rules — has given it compliance depth that generalist brokers may lack.
That said, name recognition alone is not a compliance strategy. Every importer should verify a broker’s current CBP license status, confirm their specialty alignment, and compare at least two or three licensed brokers before committing.
Impact at a Glance: Evaluating Any Established Customs Broker Firm
| Factor | What to Evaluate | Importance to Importers |
|---|---|---|
| CBP License Status | Verify active license via CBP.gov | High — unlicensed brokers cannot legally clear goods |
| Port Coverage | Confirm they operate at your port of entry | High — port relationships affect clearance speed |
| Specialty Match | Do they handle your specific commodity type? | High — wrong classification costs money |
| ISF Capability | Can they file ISF within required timelines? | High — late ISF triggers $5,000 per violation penalty |
| Pricing Transparency | Are entry fees, ISF fees, and AMS charges itemized? | Medium — opaque pricing leads to billing disputes |
| Technology Integration | ACE Portal access, online tracking, document upload | Medium — affects workflow efficiency |
| References / Track Record | Can they provide references in your industry? | Medium — especially important for regulated goods |
Affected Industries and Trade Lanes
V. Alexander has historically served importers operating across these categories:
- Apparel and textiles — sourced from Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, and India, governed by complex country-of-origin and trade preference rules
- Electronics and consumer goods — subject to Section 301 tariffs on Chinese-origin goods, which remain active as of 2026
- Food and agricultural products — requiring coordination with FDA and USDA in addition to CBP
- Automotive components — subject to Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum inputs
Importers in any of these categories dealing with goods entering through Memphis (MEM), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), or New York (JFK) will find that broker location and port familiarity matter significantly. You can browse brokers by U.S. port of entry to find licensed options at your specific port.
For importers with specialty compliance needs — pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals — browse by specialty to find brokers with documented expertise in FDA Prior Notice, FSVP, or EPA-regulated goods.
What Importers Should Do Now
Whether you’re evaluating V. Alexander specifically or using them as a benchmark to compare other customs brokers, follow these steps:
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Verify CBP license status. Go to CBP.gov and confirm the firm’s broker license is active and in good standing under 19 USC § 1641. A suspended or revoked license disqualifies a broker from clearing your goods legally.
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Confirm port-of-entry coverage. Ask the broker specifically which ports they are staffed at or have established agent relationships with. Clearance at an unfamiliar port can slow down release times.
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Match specialty to your commodity. If you import food products, confirm they have FDA experience. If you import vehicles, confirm they handle EPA and DOT entry requirements. Read 10 Core Duties of a Customs Broker Explained to understand what a broker should be doing for you.
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Request an itemized fee schedule. Ask for a written list of all charges: entry filing fee, ISF fee, AMS fee, exam fees, and any additional handling charges. Customs broker fees are not federally regulated, so transparency is your protection.
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Compare at least two to three licensed alternatives. Use CustomsBrokerIndex.com to identify CBP-licensed brokers in your city or at your port of entry. Filter by specialty if your goods require it.
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Review binding rulings if your goods are complex. If tariff classification of your product is unclear, ask your broker about seeking a CBP Binding Ruling at rulings.cbp.gov. A ruling locks in your classification and protects you against post-entry penalties.
Background: How the U.S. Customs Broker Industry Works
CBP licenses customs brokers under 19 USC § 1641 and 19 CFR Part 111. There are two types of licenses:
- Individual licenses — issued to a specific person who has passed the CBP broker exam and met background requirements
- Entity licenses — issued to corporations, partnerships, or associations employing at least one individually licensed broker
As of recent CBP data, approximately 15,000 individual broker licenses and several thousand entity licenses are active in the United States. Of those, roughly 2,500 brokers are indexed and verified in the CustomsBrokerIndex.com directory with location, port, and specialty data sourced from CBP records.
Large firms like V. Alexander operate under entity licenses with multiple individually licensed brokers on staff. This gives them operational resilience — if one broker is unavailable, another licensed employee can transact customs business on your behalf.
For importers new to the process, see 10 Key Customs Broker Responsibilities Explained for a plain-language overview of what your broker is legally required to do. If your goods have already cleared and you’re exploring duty recovery options, 19 USC 1313 Duty Drawback: The Complete Guide covers how to reclaim duties on exported goods.
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) is the primary trade association representing licensed brokers. Their member directory and resources can supplement your broker research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is V. Alexander & Associates?
V. Alexander & Associates is a long-established U.S. customs brokerage and freight forwarding firm headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 1932, the company holds CBP licenses and operates across multiple U.S. ports of entry, serving importers in industries ranging from textiles to electronics.
When was V. Alexander founded and how long have they been in operation?
V. Alexander & Associates was founded in 1932, making it one of the oldest continuously operating customs brokerage firms in the United States. The company has nearly a century of experience handling customs clearance, tariff classification, and import compliance for U.S. businesses.
What industries and goods does V. Alexander serve?
V. Alexander serves a broad range of industries including apparel and textiles, electronics, automotive parts, food and beverage, and general merchandise. Their client base includes retailers, manufacturers, and e-commerce importers sourcing goods from Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
What should importers evaluate when comparing V. Alexander to other customs brokers?
Importers should compare CBP license verification, specialty coverage relevant to their goods, port-of-entry presence, pricing transparency, and responsiveness. Using a directory like CustomsBrokerIndex.com allows you to filter licensed brokers by location, port, and specialty to find the best fit for your supply chain.
Where can I find official information about licensed customs brokers in the U.S.?
CBP.gov maintains the official record of all licensed U.S. customs brokers. You can also use CustomsBrokerIndex.com to search verified CBP-licensed brokers by city, state, port of entry, or specialty — with direct contact information included. You can also browse brokers by state if you prefer to start with geographic coverage.