UPS Trade Advisory Services, Inc.

UPS Trade Advisory Services, Inc. is a federally licensed U.S. customs broker headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, operating under CBP filer code DED. As part of the broader UPS family of logistics and trade services companies, this brokerage brings institutional-level expertise to importers of all sizes seeking reliable customs clearance, trade compliance, and regulatory guidance.

For importers moving goods through U.S. ports of entry — whether by air through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or via ocean freight arriving at East Coast ports — UPS Trade Advisory Services is equipped to handle customs entry preparation and filing, ensuring shipments clear CBP efficiently and in accordance with federal regulations. The firm's licensed brokers are well-versed in HTS code classification, including hts code meaning and tariff code identification for a wide variety of product categories such as electronics, consumer goods, and machinery.

One of the firm's core competencies includes Importer Security Filing (ISF), a mandatory requirement for ocean freight shipments that must be submitted to CBP at least 24 hours before cargo is laden aboard a vessel bound for the United States. Accurate and timely ISF filing is essential for avoiding costly holds and penalties — something UPS Trade Advisory Services handles routinely on behalf of clients.

The firm also has capabilities around duty drawback programs, which allow qualifying importers and exporters to recover duties paid on imported merchandise that is subsequently exported or destroyed. Navigating a duty drawback refund claim requires precise documentation and an understanding of CBP's regulatory framework — expertise that a trade advisory firm within the UPS ecosystem is well-positioned to provide.

For e-commerce and small-parcel importers, UPS Trade Advisory Services can assist with Section 321 de minimis entries and Type 86 entry customs filings, which are increasingly important as cross-border e-commerce volumes continue to grow. These entry types allow qualifying low-value shipments to enter the U.S. duty-free or with expedited processing.

Additionally, the firm can advise on continuous customs bond requirements, which are required for any importer that files more than a handful of entries per year, and can guide businesses through prior disclosure cbp procedures when self-reporting potential violations. First-time importers will find particular value in the firm's ability to walk through commercial entry customs CBP requirements from the ground up, reducing the learning curve and risk of costly compliance errors.