MEL R FRIEDMAN

Mel R. Friedman is a long-standing, independently licensed customs broker serving importers in the Los Angeles metropolitan area from a base in Santa Monica, California. Licensed under CBP filer code M84 and in continuous operation since May 1985, Mel R. Friedman CHB brings more than four decades of hands-on customs brokerage experience to importers navigating the complexities of U.S. trade compliance.

Located within reach of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach — collectively the largest port complex in the Western Hemisphere — this broker is ideally situated to assist businesses importing goods from Asia, including consumer goods, electronics, textiles and apparel, and machinery. The Los Angeles gateway processes a significant share of all U.S. imports, and working with a locally experienced, licensed broker can make a material difference in clearance speed and compliance accuracy.

Mel R. Friedman provides customs entry preparation and filing services using the CBP ACE portal, helping importers meet all formal entry requirements efficiently. Services include the preparation and submission of Importer Security Filing (ISF), which must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to cargo loading for ocean shipments — a requirement that carries CBP penalties when missed or filed incorrectly. Accurate HTS code classification is a core component of customs entry work, directly affecting duty rates assessed against imported merchandise. Whether you need to search the HTS code list for clothing, electronics, or industrial equipment, proper classification under the USITC tariff database is critical.

For importers managing ongoing shipment volumes, Mel R. Friedman can advise on continuous customs bond requirements, which allow businesses to cover multiple entries under a single bond rather than filing a single-entry bond for each shipment. Brokers in the Los Angeles market also frequently assist clients in evaluating eligibility under Section 321 de minimis provisions for low-value shipments.

Duty drawback is another area of value for active importers — the duty drawback program allows businesses to recover duties paid on imported goods that are subsequently exported or destroyed. Filing a duty drawback claim requires careful documentation and timely submission, making experienced broker guidance particularly useful.

With over 40 years serving the Los Angeles import community, Mel R. Friedman offers the kind of institutional knowledge and practical experience that can benefit both established importers and businesses newer to U.S. import requirements. Importers seeking a licensed, experienced customs broker in the Santa Monica and greater Los Angeles area are encouraged to reach out directly.