MCCLARY, SWIFT & CO - BLAINE, WA

McClary, Swift & Co is a CBP-licensed customs brokerage firm located in Blaine, Washington, holding filer code W13. Blaine is situated at the northernmost point of Washington State, directly on the US-Canada border and home to two major international crossings: the Peace Arch port of entry and the Pacific Highway commercial crossing. This geographic position makes Blaine a significant hub for commercial freight transiting between British Columbia, Canada, and the Pacific Northwest United States, and McClary, Swift & Co is positioned to serve importers operating in this corridor.

For importers bringing goods across the northern border, working with a locally licensed broker provides real advantages. McClary, Swift & Co can assist with customs entry preparation, accurate HTS code classification using the USITC tariff database, and ensuring shipments meet all US import requirements before arrival at the port. Proper HTS classification is foundational to calculating customs duties correctly and avoiding delays or penalties at the border.

The firm handles Importer Security Filing (ISF) requirements for ocean freight shipments, a mandatory CBP program that requires advance cargo information to be submitted via the ACE portal prior to vessel departure. Failure to meet ISF filing requirements can result in significant fines, so having an experienced broker manage this process is critical for importers relying on ocean freight lanes that connect through West Coast ports before goods reach the Pacific Northwest.

Customs bond compliance is another core area of service. Whether an importer requires a single-entry bond for an occasional shipment or a continuous customs bond for ongoing import programs, McClary, Swift & Co can guide clients through the requirements. A continuous bond is typically required for importers who bring in goods valued over $250,000 or more than three times per year, and it remains active through CBP's ACE portal on a rolling basis.

For importers interested in duty recovery, the firm can provide guidance on the duty drawback program — a CBP-administered mechanism that allows qualifying importers to claim refunds on duties paid when imported goods are subsequently exported or destroyed. Duty drawback claims require precise documentation and adherence to CBP timelines, making experienced broker involvement essential.

Blaine's position on the US-Canada border means the firm regularly encounters freight categories common to Pacific Northwest trade: consumer goods, agricultural products, machinery, and manufactured goods moving between Canadian and US markets. Importers operating cross-border supply chains in this region benefit from a broker with direct familiarity with the local port environment, CBP field office relationships, and the practical realities of northern border clearance.