13200 – Customs, ship and other brokers

Lead statement

Customs brokers clear goods through customs and to their destination on behalf of importer and exporter clients.

Main duties

• Prepare and process import/export documents and other forms on behalf of clients according to customs regulations, laws and procedures
• Sign import/export documents on behalf of client, using power of attorney
• Arrange for payment of duties, taxes, storage and transportation of imported goods and bonds to cover duty goods
• Quote duty and tax rates on commodities for clients
• Provide advice to clients on export and import restrictions, tariff systems, letters of credit, insurance requirements and other custom related matters
• May represent client before administrative tribunals or in other dealings with government officials.
• Buy and sell cargo space on ships on behalf of individuals, companies and governments
• Consult trade publications and other sources to provide information to clients on available cargo space, destinations, rates and departure locations and times, and arrange ship charters for clients
• Negotiate rates and terms and prepare contracts and other papers
• Buy and sell ships, yachts and other watercraft on behalf of clients
• Inspect vessels, explain features and negotiate price when purchasing or selling for clients
• Arrange for insurance coverage for cargo or for ships
• Arrange for registration and licensing of ships.

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school and some post-secondary education in commerce or a related field is required
• Customs brokers require several years of on-the-job training and completion of a customs brokers training program through the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association.
• A customs broker licence, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency, is required for an individual or company to operate a customs brokerage business.
• Shipbrokers selling cargo space on ships usually require several years of on-the-job training or related experience such as shipping company scheduling experience. Shipbrokers selling watercraft usually require in-depth experience with, and knowledge of, various watercraft.
• Correspondence courses from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers are available for shipbrokers.

Example job titles

customs house broker · customs broker · customs information broker · customs clearance agent · royalty broker · cargo broker · shipbroker · yacht broker · chartered shipbroker · ship agent · ship line agent

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.