From Yahoo Finance: 2025-06-11 06:05:00

U.S. importers are turning to customs brokers to navigate Trump’s trade policies, leading to increased costs. The industry is worth roughly $5 billion, with more importers seeking help due to tariff complexities. Brokers like JD Gonzalez are fielding more questions and spending more time on paperwork due to changes.

Companies like Nike and Amazon are hiring trade and customs professionals to boost compliance efforts. Nike was seeking a lead for trade and customs, while Amazon had 10 U.S. customs brokerage jobs listed. Major firms like FedEx and DHL are also increasing staff to handle customs compliance.

Customs brokers are raising fees due to increased complexity in tariff codes. Fees have risen by $1 to $5 per code. Companies like A&A Customs Brokers and UPS have raised rates due to added complexity. FedEx increased customs brokerage rates by 4% in January.

Importers slowed shipments into the U.S. after Trump’s tariff announcement, with consumer goods imports decreasing by $68.9 billion in April. The federal appellate court ruled that tariffs can remain while appeals proceed, adding to the uncertainty in the trade landscape. Tariff changes are happening more abruptly, causing challenges for brokers and importers alike.



Read more at Yahoo Finance: US importers turn to brokers to navigate Trump-era tariffs, at a cost