Customs brokers are licensed professionals who handle import documentation, classification, and compliance. They typically charge $300+/hour for consulting or per-entry fees of $150–$250. TariffCalc gives you instant duty rate calculations for $0–99/month, so you can plan costs before engaging a broker for formal entry filing. Most importers use both — TariffCalc for quick rate checks and planning, and a broker for filing entries with CBP.
| Feature | TariffCalc | Customs Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Instant duty rate lookup | Yes — under 5 seconds | Hours to days (email/phone) |
| 5-layer tariff stacking | Automated for all codes | Manual research per inquiry |
| HTS classification advice | Search-based (code + description) | Expert classification judgment |
| Customs entry filing | No — calculation only | Yes — formal CBP entries |
| Compliance consulting | No | Yes — rulings, audits, penalties |
| Bond and ISF filing | No | Yes |
| Availability | 24/7, instant | Business hours, appointment-based |
| Batch cost analysis | 100 codes in one click | Priced per classification |
| Pricing | $0–99/month | $150–250/entry or $300+/hour |
| Best for | Cost planning, rate checks, sourcing decisions | Formal entry filing, complex compliance |
For formal import entry filing with CBP, yes — only a licensed customs broker (or the importer of record) can file entries. TariffCalc is designed for pre-entry planning: checking duty rates, comparing country sourcing costs, and estimating landed costs before you ship. Most importers use TariffCalc for quick lookups and a broker for filing.
Customs brokers typically charge $150–$250 per entry for routine filings and $300+/hour for consulting, classification disputes, or compliance audits. Some charge monthly retainers for frequent importers. TariffCalc's paid plans start at $29/month for unlimited lookups and batch processing.
TariffCalc replaces the duty rate research portion of a broker's work. Instead of calling your broker every time you need a rate check, you can look it up instantly. For formal entry filing, compliance consulting, and CBP interactions, a licensed customs broker is still necessary.
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