TIC Brokers, Inc.

TIC Brokers, Inc. is a licensed U.S. customs broker headquartered in Burlingame, California, holding CBP filer code 513. The firm operates as the customs brokerage arm of Traffic International Corp., a freight forwarding company, providing importers with integrated clearance services across both air freight and ocean freight shipments. This relationship between freight forwarding and licensed brokerage gives clients a single point of coordination from origin pickup through U.S. customs release.

Burlingame sits immediately adjacent to San Francisco International Airport, one of the busiest air cargo hubs on the West Coast. This location makes TIC Brokers particularly well-suited for importers moving time-sensitive goods via air — including electronics, consumer goods, and high-value manufactured products that frequently enter through SFO from Asia-Pacific trade lanes. Ocean freight imports transiting through the Port of Oakland, just across the Bay, also fall within the firm's natural service area.

The firm's use of the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) — CBP's electronic filing system — enables efficient customs entry preparation and submission, reducing delays at the border. For importers new to the U.S. market, understanding import bond requirements, ISF 10+2 filing obligations, and HTS code classification are critical first steps, and working with a licensed broker like TIC Brokers helps navigate these requirements correctly from the start.

Importers should be aware that a continuous customs bond is typically required for frequent commercial shipments, covering both entry filings and importer security filing (ISF) obligations. TIC Brokers' integration with Traffic International Corp.'s freight operations suggests the firm can assist clients in coordinating these compliance requirements alongside actual cargo movement.

The Bay Area's import economy is heavily weighted toward technology products, electronics, machinery, and consumer goods sourced from Asia — particularly China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Importers in these categories searching for a customs broker near SFO or the Oakland port will find TIC Brokers' location and freight-integrated model relevant to their operational needs. For first-time importers or businesses expanding their sourcing into new product categories, consulting with a licensed broker early in the process can prevent costly CBP compliance issues down the line.