Running an ecommerce business that sources products internationally isn’t just about finding suppliers or managing online storefronts. Behind every successful Shopify store or Amazon FBA brand is a carefully managed logistics and customs process—one that often hinges on reliable Customs Brokerage Services.
For ecommerce sellers—especially those using fulfillment centers like Amazon FBA, offering DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping, or importing goods from Asia—customs is no longer just a shipping formality. It’s a crucial part of your operations that can directly impact delivery times, costs, and customer satisfaction.
In this post, we’ll break down how ecommerce-focused customs brokers help online retailers stay compliant, minimize delays, and scale operations smoothly.
If you're shipping internationally, you're interacting with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) whether you realize it or not. Every imported shipment, regardless of size, must go through customs clearance.
This process involves:
Failure to manage these steps properly can lead to costly delays, seized shipments, and unhappy customers. That’s why ecommerce sellers benefit from using customs brokerage services that specialize in high-volume, small-parcel, or FBA-style shipping models.
For sellers importing from China or other parts of Asia using ocean freight, the ISF Importer Security Filing (also called “10+2”) is mandatory. It requires importers to submit key shipment data to CBP at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto a vessel bound for the U.S.
Missing or filing ISF late can result in fines of up to $5,000 per shipment—clearly not a risk most ecommerce sellers want to take.
A customs broker will typically coordinate directly with your freight forwarder or supplier to ensure the ISF Importer Security Filing is accurate and on time.
This reduces the chances of cargo holds or customs exams and ensures your FBA or warehouse timelines stay on track.
Once shipments land in the U.S., they often need to be repackaged, relabeled, or split before heading to fulfillment centers like Amazon or third-party logistics (3PL) warehouses. That’s where transloading and warehousing services come in.