About Northern Border Import LLC
Northern Border Import LLC is a licensed U.S. customs broker based in Pembina, North Dakota, operating at one of the busiest northern border ports of entry connecting the U.S. and Canada. Led by Shannon Cosley, who brings over 20 years of direct U.S. Customs experience and training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA, the firm is well-positioned to handle commercial import clearances crossing the Pembina/Emerson port. Northern Border Import LLC holds filer code NBT and is equipped to manage customs entry preparation, HTS classification, and CBP compliance requirements for importers moving freight across the U.S.-Canada border.
Northern Border Import LLC is a CBP-licensed customs brokerage firm located in Pembina, North Dakota, situated directly at the U.S.-Canada border crossing connecting Pembina, ND to Emerson, Manitoba. This port of entry is a primary commercial corridor for truck freight moving between the U.S. and Canada, making Pembina a strategically important location for importers requiring timely and accurate customs clearance.
The firm is led by Shannon Cosley, a customs professional with more than 20 years of direct U.S. Customs experience, including training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia — the same institution where CBP officers receive their foundational instruction. That depth of regulatory knowledge translates directly into reliable customs compliance support for commercial importers navigating complex entry requirements.
Northern Border Import LLC (filer code: NBT) handles the full range of customs entry functions applicable to commercial shipments entering from Canada. This includes customs entry preparation under CBP's ACE portal, HTS code classification to determine applicable duty rates, and ensuring compliance with partner government agency (PGA) requirements from agencies such as FDA, USDA, and EPA when applicable. Importers moving goods across the northern border frequently encounter requirements tied to agricultural products, food and beverage items, machinery, and consumer goods — all areas where accurate classification and documentation are essential.
For importers new to the Pembina port or those establishing recurring cross-border lanes, understanding customs bond requirements — including whether a single-entry or continuous customs bond is appropriate — is a foundational step. Northern Border Import LLC can guide clients through these requirements as part of entry setup.
Additional considerations for U.S.-Canada imports often include proper importer of record (IOR) designation, country of origin determinations under USMCA, and ensuring that shipment values are correctly declared to avoid delays or penalties. For lower-value commercial shipments, understanding section 321 de minimis thresholds and CBP entry types explained under the formal and informal entry framework can also affect how a shipment is processed.
Importers searching for a customs broker near the Pembina port of entry — whether for recurring freight programs or time-sensitive clearance — will find Northern Border Import LLC to be a locally grounded option with seasoned regulatory experience at this specific crossing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What port of entry does Northern Border Import LLC primarily serve?
Northern Border Import LLC is based in Pembina, ND and primarily serves the Pembina/Emerson port of entry, a major commercial truck crossing on the U.S.-Canada border in North Dakota.
Does Northern Border Import LLC handle USMCA origin claims for Canadian imports?
Given their focus on U.S.-Canada cross-border trade at Pembina, the firm is well-suited to assist with USMCA preferential tariff claims, which require proper country of origin documentation and HTS classification to qualify for reduced or zero duty rates.