6 Key Points Before Hiring a Customs Broker in Mexico

Hiring the services of a customs broker is no easy task, especially with the wide range of options available in the market. The Confederation of Customs Brokers Associations of the Mexican Republic (CAAAREM) is responsible for the training and certification of 875 customs brokers in Mexico.

Here are some key factors companies should consider when selecting the best customs broker to handle their imports and exports.

🏁 Point #1: Hire a Direct Customs Broker, Not a Correspondent

The first thing an importer or exporter should do is hire a direct customs broker. This means a broker who is responsible for all customs requirements, processes, and operations without relying on a colleague or a third party. Otherwise, the broker would be considered a correspondent broker.

For some, hiring a correspondent broker might seem beneficial because the billing for the cargo clearance is handled by a different broker than the one preparing the customs declaration. However, this setup has its downsides as it involves multiple parties: the customs broker, the correspondent requester, and the correspondent itself.

When it comes to customs procedures, electronic documents, and administrative requirements, this is not ideal for the importer, who needs to focus on their core business—importing their goods.

📦 Point #2: Choose a Specialist Based on the Product Being Imported or Exported

If the company is importing textiles, footwear, or porcelain, they should hire a customs broker specialized in these industries. The most important reason for this is that tariff regulations and rules vary by sector.

This ensures the customs broker avoids omissions, mistakes, or a lack of necessary knowledge when dealing with customs authorities. Today, brokers have specialized in areas such as logistics, financial and accounting processes, negotiations, legal services, and more.

🌎 Point #3: Choose a Broker With Presence at the Most Important Customs Offices in the Country

A customs broker's scope of work is governed by the law. Once a broker is granted their license, they are authorized to operate at the customs office they are assigned to.

However, the broker is not authorized to conduct operations at more than three customs offices outside of their assigned location. If a broker resigns from an authorized customs office, they may apply for authorization to work at a different location. Companies should verify that the broker truly has a presence at the country’s most important customs offices before hiring them.

Point #4: Choose a Broker With an Efficient and Cutting-Edge Technology System

Technology is key to executing customs operations. The customs broker must have efficient, up-to-date systems to track shipments, notify the importer about them, and issue the necessary electronic documents. Staying connected with what’s happening at the customs offices where the broker operates is crucial, including at customs facilities around the world.

According to Section VIII of Article 160 of the Customs Law, the customs broker must have the necessary equipment to promote electronic clearance, following the rules issued by the Tax Administration Service (SAT), and must use it in their operations.

To track the goods, the importer can use specialized foreign trade compliance software, which allows them to organize and store digital files. Additionally, it automates processes and helps identify potential errors in the workflow. There are various software options on the market, so the importer should obtain quotes based on their specific needs.

✅ Point #5: Choose a Broker With Certifications for Better Service

To ensure the broker provides excellent service, they must hold certificates and licenses known as patents, which grant them the authority to legally represent a third party before the SAT. In other words, a patent is similar to a professional license that validates the broker to operate independently.

Key requirements for obtaining a customs broker patent include being a Mexican national with full legal rights, having at least five years of experience in customs matters, and not being a public servant (except in elected positions) or an active-duty military member. Other requirements are outlined in Article 159 of the Customs Law.

There are also certifications that importers must obtain for the security of their goods. One of these is C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism), which helps prevent disasters like terrorism and drug trafficking, among other benefits. Another is the Authorized Economic Operator (OEA) certification, granted by customs authorities to reinforce the security of the supply chain across manufacturers, exporters, importers, warehouse operators, distributors, customs brokers, transporters, and more.

📢 Point #6: Choose a Broker That Offers Additional Services

The modern customs broker should offer more than just traditional services. Nowadays, a customs broker takes care of legal, transportation, and administrative tasks, but they should also help improve a company’s finances by avoiding unnecessary costs.

Importers and exporters need to thoroughly understand the services provided by a customs broker and how they differ from those offered by a customs agency. Only then can they recognize the added value each offers and decide on the best option.

Before hiring a customs broker, companies should consider the recommendations above to choose one that best fits their needs. By law, you can hire different brokers for each operation or for a set period, or you might need a logistics operator—read more about 👉 Customs Broker vs Logistics Operator.

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