Import broker
A general phrase for an intermediary associated with imports. The phrase does not establish a license, authorization, role, responsibility, or suitability.
Trade terminology glossary
An import broker is a general phrase that may refer to an intermediary involved in importing goods.
This definition distinguishes a general import-broker phrase from the U.S. regulatory term customs broker. It does not select, recommend, contact, engage, evaluate, license, validate, or manage any broker, import, entry, filing, document, product, shipment, or transaction.
An import broker is a general phrase sometimes used for an intermediary involved in importing goods. In U.S. regulations, a customs broker is specifically a person licensed to transact customs business on behalf of others. The general phrase does not establish whether a person or firm is licensed, authorized, suitable, engaged, or responsible for a particular import. Read CBP’s customs-broker overview.
Three related terms
Related terms do not determine an importing role.
Import-broker language can appear beside customs broker and freight forwarder. These labels can clarify a discussion without determining a party’s license, authority, duties, documentation, filing responsibilities, or suitability for a particular shipment.
Customs broker
Under 19 CFR 111.1, a person licensed under that part to transact customs business on behalf of others. This term has a specific U.S. regulatory meaning.
Freight forwarder
Under 19 CFR 111.1, a person engaged in dispatching shipments in foreign commerce and handling related shipment formalities on behalf of others. This term is distinct from customs broker.
Why context matters
A general label does not establish customs authority or advice.
The important distinction
A glossary defines the phrase. It does not handle an import.
CBP explains that customs-broker licenses are issued to conduct customs business on behalf of other persons, and 19 CFR 111.1 defines a customs broker as a person licensed under that part. That description provides terminology, not a determination about a particular party, import, entry, product, record, filing, obligation, or outcome.
Label, license, transaction
A term does not select or validate a broker.
An importing discussion may involve brokers, forwarders, importers, carriers, documents, entries, customs business, and shipment formalities. This page does not identify a party, verify a license or authority, determine a role, assess documentation, or recommend an action for any import or shipment.
A source note
Shared vocabulary can help name a trade question.
CBP and 19 CFR 111.1 distinguish the licensed U.S. customs-broker term from broader language that may be used around imports. That supports a plain-language definition; it does not resolve a customs, regulatory, commercial, or transaction question.
Keep the term and the import decision separate.
An official definition can explain a regulatory term. It cannot determine a person’s license, authorization, duties, qualifications, engagement, fees, documentation, filing, classification, valuation, admissibility, duty, tax, compliance, liability, or the appropriate handling of a particular import.
Glossary boundary: This page does not select, recommend, contact, engage, evaluate, license, validate, manage, or direct any broker, importer, forwarder, carrier, import, entry, filing, document, product, shipment, record, payment, or transaction.
What this glossary does not decide
This educational definition does not determine any customs, licensing, regulatory, legal, import, export, classification, valuation, admissibility, duty, tax, fee, filing, documentation, entry, recordkeeping, compliance, risk, liability, payment, product, shipment, carrier, broker, forwarder, importer, supplier, retailer, food-safety, inventory, quality, or operational status; create, prepare, review, file, submit, transmit, validate, assess, license, register, authorize, contact, engage, manage, or direct any customs business, broker, import, product, shipment, entry, document, record, payment, account, or transaction; or provide customs, brokerage, regulatory, legal, tax, financial, food-safety, logistics, procurement, inventory, or operational advice.
Source note
References for this definition
These sources support the terminology on this page. They are not a substitute for a party’s own qualified advisers, records, licenses, authorities, contracts, or applicable requirements.
Building commercial workflows with CPG design partners
Help shape a clearer way to keep product context and operating handoffs connected.
A working prototype validated Guidance’s core operating model. The commercial rebuild is translating that proof into production-ready workflows with CPG design partners.
Apply as a Design Partner →