Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Customs Brokerage Services
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Customs Brokerage Services Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Customs brokers, also called clearing agents, guide imported goods through customs by providing a range of services, including classifying goods, preparing relevant documents, passing documents to government authorities, calculating and paying taxes and duties, arranging inspections, and facilitating communication between the importer and government authorities.
This Report Includes:
- Import Documentation
- Goods Classification
- Document Submission
- Tax and Duty Management
Not in this Report:
- Freight Forwarding
- Fulfillment Services
Global Customs Brokerage Services Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Customs Brokerage Services market.
Warning Trends
United States announces additional tariffs on China
- In February 2025, the United States announced 10.0% tariffs on imports from China. The tariffs took effect on February 4, 2025.
- The tariff plan applies to all merchandise imported for consumption and applies in addition to other duties and fees that are in place, with limited exceptions.
- In response, China announced a 15.0% tariff on products such as coal and natural gas, as well as a 10.0% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, pickup trucks, and large cars. The tariff executive orders indicate retaliatory tariffs could lead to further escalation in rates.
- Providers in this market rely on inputs often sourced from China. As such, ProcurementIQ will continue to monitor developments in this space and update analysis accordingly.
United States postpones plans for sweeping tariffs on Canada and Mexico
- In February 2025, the United States announced 25.0% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico.
- Though initially set to take effect on February 4, 2025, the implementation of tariffs on Canada and Mexico has been postponed 30 days to allow for further negotiation.
- The tariff plan initially proposed by the US applies to all merchandise imported for consumption and applies in addition to other duties or fees that are in place, with limited exceptions.
- Providers in this market rely on input costs often sourced from an affected country. As such, ProcurementIQ will continue to monitor developments in this space and update analysis accordingly.
Neutral
Freight shipping rates fall from peak
- Shipping through the Suez Canal has continued to be curbed by the Houthi movement in Yemen attacking vessels passing through the Red Sea. The Suez Canal handles around 12.0% to 15.0% of global trade.
- While the Panama Canal had enacted travel restrictions through its canals due to a drought and low water levels, these restrictions have been lifted with the early arrival of the rainy season. In September 2024, the canal will be able to increase transit slots to 36 a day, which is the typical average.
- The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean to the Indian Ocean via the Red Sea, which reduces the travel time as ships moving between Europe and Asia do not have to go around Africa. However, shipping through the Suez Canal has fallen sharply in 2024 due to attacks on civilian shipping by the Houthi movement in Yemen; daily ship crossings have decreased from 69 ships on November 18, 2023 (the week before the first Houthi attack) to 27 on July 7, 2024.
- While shipping rates increased sharply due to the issues in the Suez and Panama, with the benchmark Drewry World Container Index increasing from $1,469 on November 16, 2023 to $5,937 on July 18, 2024; however, rates have fallen since, dropping to $3,803 as of December 19, 2024. Shanghai to Rotterdam freight rates have decreased from $8,267 to $4,819 per 40-foot container since mid-July 2024 and Shanghai to Genoa rates have fallen from $7,727 to $5,424 per 40-foot container during the same period.
- However, continued turmoil in the Middle East, looming port strikes, and anticipated tariff hikes are expected to continue to contribute to volatility in freight rates. Furthermore, war risk insurance rates for shipping through the Red Sea have increased sharply, which raises the cost of shipping through the Suez Canal.
Global Customs Brokerage Services Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1 Europe | 19,965 |
| #2 United States | 11,000 |
| #3 Oceania & Southeast Asia | 9,775 |
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Geography Drilldown - US, Canada & Europe
Average Cost of Customs Brokerage Services
United States
2026 Market Pricing$25.00 to $XX,XXX.XX
per entryCanada
Europe
Average Price
Prices in the Customs Brokerage Services market range from $25.00 to $XX,XXX.XX, depending on Shipment Value, Type of Bond, Transport mode, Cargo Type and Shipment Origin. For example, lower prices are associated with Shipment value of $50,000 or less ($25 to $285), whereas higher prices are associated with Shipment value between $50,000 to $500,000 ($37.50 to $2,550) and Shipment value of $500,000 or more ($150 to $15,000).
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Customs Brokerage Services Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Customs Brokerage Services market, prices in the US have declined -1.5% from 2022 to 2025. and +1.7% in Europe.
United States (2022-2025)
Canada (2021-2024)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
Europe (2022-2025)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
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Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Customs Brokerage Services
Total cost of ownership is Low in the Customs Brokerage Services market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Delays may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.
Billed During
Additional Fees
Unforeseen
Delays
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2026, buyer power amounts to -1.0 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Recent Price Volatility. It is most negatively impacted by Market Share Concentration. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Canada
Europe
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as Medium, which has a negative impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Computer & Packaged Software Wholesalers
- Freight Forwarders
- Electronic Equipment Manufacturers
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Computer Manufacturers
- Freight Packing & Logistics Firms
- Semiconductor & Circuit Manufacturers
Biggest Customs Brokerage Services Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Customs Brokerage Services vendors by revenue in the US are Kinetsu World Express Inc., DSV A/S and C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Parcel Service, Inc. | International | ATLANTA, GA | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| FedEx Corporation | International | MEMPHIS, TN | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. | Global | EDEN PRAIRIE, MN | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Expeditors International of Washington Inc. | Global | BELLEVUE, WA | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| Xpo Logistics, Inc. | Global | GREENWICH | >10,000 | 5-10 | ||||
| DSV A/S | Global | Hedehusene, DEN | < 5 | |||||
| Deutsche Post Ag | Global | Bonn, DE | >10,001 | < 5 | ||||
| CMA CGM Group | Global | Marseille, FR | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Deutsche Bahn AG | < 5 | |||||||
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Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.
Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Customs Brokerage Services market is 5.1% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Purchases. The cost trend for this component is rising, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
Vendor risk throughout the market is considered low, indicating that buyers have a low risk of facing service disruptions due to issues such as financial instability among vendors.
Market share concentration in the market is low, due to the prevalence of smaller companies and clearing agents in the market. The high number of smaller firms operating in this market and the lack of market share concentration among the top firms foster a competitive environment.
The market has a moderate level of supply chain risk associated with it, indicating that buyers may face some service disruptions or price fluctuations due to complications in the vendors' upstream supply chain.
The market is heavily regulated and regulations have been changing at a fast pace. Typically, changes in regulations pertain to fees and tariffs, presenting buyers with challenges when it comes to budgeting future costs.
The United States is a net importer of computers, meaning it imports more computers than it exports. While lower manufacturing costs abroad drive down prices for imported computers, relying on imports can lead to potential shortages or price increases if there are supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, or global crises.
Supplier Information
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. is a freight transport services and logistics company serving various industries worldwide. It leverages contracted transportation companies, including motor carriers, railroads, and ocean and air carriers. It also provides a wide range of value-added logistics services, such... Subscribe to learn more
Expeditors International of Washington Inc.
Expeditors International of Washington Inc. is a public company operating globally in the professional, scientific and technical services sector. The company's offerings include material handling services, general warehousing & storage, freight forwarding services, customs brokerage services and third-party... Subscribe to learn more
FedEx Corporation
FedEx Corporation is a public company operating internationally in the manufacturing, manufacturing, professional, scientific and technical services and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include business card printing, banners, letter & parcel Subscribe to learn more
United Parcel Service, Inc.
United Parcel Service, Inc. is a public company operating internationally in the manufacturing, information and professional, scientific and technical services sectors. The company's offerings include business card printing, mailing software, 3d printing & rapid prototyping services, letter & parcel delivery... Subscribe to learn more
Xpo Logistics, Inc.
XPO Logistics, Inc. is a global provider of freight transportation services. It organizes its business into two segments: the North American Less-Than-Truckload segment, which provides geographic density and day-definite domestic and cross-border services throughout the US, Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean,... Subscribe to learn more
CMA CGM Group
CMA CGM Group is a private company operating globally. The company's offerings include deep sea cargo transportation services, general warehousing & storage and customs brokerage services. Founded in 1978, the company is currently headquartered in Marseille, France with an estimated 110000 employees. Subscribe to learn more
Deutsche Bahn AG
Deutsche Bahn AG is a private company operating in the wholesale trade and professional, scientific and technical services sectors. The company's offerings include customs brokerage services and third-party logistics services.. Subscribe to learn more
Deutsche Post Ag
Deutsche Post Ag is a public company operating globally in the professional, scientific & technical services sector. The company's offerings include letter & parcel delivery services, same-day last-mile delivery services, international air cargo transportation services, material handling services, general... Subscribe to learn more
DSV A/S
DSV A/S is a Global operator providing Customs Brokerage Services from their headquarters in Hedehusene, DEN. This operator has a staff size of about employees. According to ProcurementIQ estimates, DSV A/S holds < 5% of market share... Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Customs Brokerage Services Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Average Response Time and Employee Retention Rate. Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Documentation & Accuracy and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Response Time |
|
Time to respond to phone outreach Time to respond to email outreach |
Buyers should assess how promptly vendors respond to outreach to assess their level of customer service. Buyers should weigh the response times differently for phone and email outreach as well as consider the priority level of the reason for outreach to the vendor. |
| Employee Retention Rate |
|
Vendor turnover rate Average rate of new employees per contract |
Services can increase in efficiency when the employees assigned to a contract remain on the contract as they become more familiar with the buyer's operations and imports. A high turnover rate can reduce efficiency across services and lead to increased delays. |
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Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Reputation
What share of your business stems from imports similar to mine?
How do you stay up to date with policy and regulation changes that affect my product?
Customer Service
Will my account be assigned to a single client service representative?
How can I contact my representative for support? When will they be available, and what will their response time be?
Regulation
Will documentation be made readily available to me electronically upon submission?
What formats will documents and document images be stored in?
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Customs Brokerage Services RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should provide a description of the purpose behind the RFP, including their primary goals.
Buyers should state any specific rules pertaining to the RFP process, such as means for disqualification.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should provide explicit details of the services being requested.
Buyers should state their number of monthly imports.
Project Budget
Buyers should state their annual budget for these services.
Buyers should state their preferred pricing model, such as a flat rate, per entry, or a time and materials model.
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We display average pricing information, trends and market data.
Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
- Market dynamics
- Recent developments
- Positive and warning trends
- Buyer power levers
- Price environment and market pricing
- Geographic wage rates
- Global market updates
- Total cost of ownership
- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
- Sourcing strategy guidance
