What's the Difference Between an "Operational" and "Transactional" Customs Broker?

U.S. and Canadian Customs are an ever-changing landscape of regulations, rules and relationships. Importers and exporters must always be in-the-know on international trade policies as they engage in new markets and growth opportunities. It’s a responsibility that must never be taken lightly.

But while the largest manufacturers and distributors have the wherewithal to maintain an in-house team to handle that responsibility, for small and medium-sized shippers looking to grow, you might not be quite to that level yet. Instead, you engage a Customs broker to walk you through the process and trust that they’re keeping your entries on the up-and-up.

For many Customs brokers, that’s where the relationship stops. Picture a team of people with piles of papers on their desks pecking away at keyboards all day processing import entries and you’ve about summed it up. Unfortunately for you, the importer, while the transaction itself is essential, preparation and insight into every one of your transactions can be the difference between on-time delivery and being stranded at the border, between a smooth Customs audit and one that exposes compliance issues, and between cost savings and overpaying.

Piatek Customs & Logistics operates differently than many brokers. For us, each transaction we process isn’t simply a transaction, it’s part of a relationship. We engage with you long before your import entries are at the border and long after they’ve arrived safely in your shop. Because we know your company as more than just a stack of papers, we ensure compliance with Customs regulations, we’re available to you 24/7, and we seek out cost-saving advantages for you through Free Trade Agreements and Trusted Trader programs.

What relationship do you have with your current Customs broker? If you’d describe it as a transactional one, give us a call.