Miami is one of the busiest trade gateways in the United States, moving cargo between the Americas through PortMiami, Port Everglades, and Miami International Airport. Clearing that cargo through U.S. Customs quickly takes a licensed customs broker who knows South Florida. Below is a verified directory of customs brokerage providers serving the Miami market, with links to each company’s website so you can compare and call directly.
What does a customs broker do?
A licensed customs broker acts as your agent with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). They classify your goods under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), prepare and file your import entry, calculate duties and fees owed, coordinate with CBP for release, and flag any holds or exams before your cargo is stuck. In Miami — where PortMiami and Port Everglades process thousands of containers per week — a broker who knows the terminals can mean the difference between same-day release and a 3-day delay.
Brokers must hold a CBP-issued license and either a national or port-specific permit. Always verify a broker’s license number at CBP.gov before you hire.
How to choose a customs broker in Miami
Before calling anyone on this list, nail down three things:
1. Trade lane experience. A broker who clears electronics from Asia may not know the documentation quirks on perishables from Latin America. Ask specifically about your commodity and your port of origin.
2. Asset integration. The fastest clearances happen when your broker and your drayage carrier are coordinated — ideally the same company. A freshly released container still accrues port fees if nobody moves it for 24 hours. Asset-based 3PLs that bundle clearance with trucking eliminate that gap.
3. ISF and bond management. Your broker should file the Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) at least 24 hours before vessel departure — not as an afterthought. Confirm they handle bond management (single-entry vs. continuous bond) and know current thresholds for your import volume.
1. Go Freight
Go Freight — Miami, FL. Go Freight is an asset-based, AI-powered 3PL whose freight-forwarding team coordinates customs clearance alongside drayage so cleared containers move immediately. With 100+ company-owned trucks, an in-house chassis pool, a 104,000 sq ft bonded Miami warehouse, and TSA-approved bonded carrier status, Go Freight pairs clearance with AI gate-time prediction at PortMiami and Port Everglades. Because it is asset-based, there is no double brokering. Call (786) 445-0150.
2. A1 Worldwide Logistics
A1 Worldwide Logistics — North Miami, FL. With more than 20 years of experience, A1 provides customs clearance, tariff classification, and import compliance consulting alongside freight forwarding.
3. LMB Customs Brokers
LMB Customs Brokers — Miami, FL. Established in 1999 (formerly Lincoln M. Blackwood, CHB), LMB is licensed to clear cargo nationwide, with a core staff carrying decades of combined customs experience.
4. WTDC
WTDC — Miami, FL. WTDC combines customs brokerage with bonded warehousing and Foreign-Trade Zone services, useful for importers who want clearance and storage under one roof.
5. GM International Freight Forwarders
GM International Freight Forwarders Corp — Miami, FL. GM International assists with preparing and reviewing documentation, submitting filings to customs authorities, and facilitating clearance for import and export cargo.
6. A Customs Brokerage
A Customs Brokerage — Miami, FL. Licensed nationally to clear merchandise at any U.S. port of arrival and C-TPAT certified, with a focus on compliance-driven clearance.
7. U.S. Customs Brokers
U.S. Customs Brokers — Miami, FL. Fully licensed with a national permit to clear cargo at seaports, airports, and border crossings across the United States, headquartered in Miami.
8. Interworld Freight (InterWF)
Interworld Freight — Miami, FL. An NVOCC and IAC-certified forwarder offering real-time cargo tracking, 24/7 operations support, and partnerships with U.S. customs brokers for end-to-end clearance.
9. Crowley
Crowley — Miami-based logistics. A long-established U.S. carrier and logistics company with customs brokerage and trade-compliance services, strong in Caribbean and Latin American trade lanes.
10. NXTPoint Logistics
NXTPoint Logistics — Miami, FL. NXTPoint offers freight forwarding with customs coordination, drayage, and final-mile support, backed by company-owned assets and a broad carrier network.
Customs broker fees in Miami: what to expect
Fees vary by broker, commodity, and shipment complexity. Here is a realistic breakdown for a standard containerized import through PortMiami or Port Everglades:
Entry filing fee: $75–$200 per shipment. This covers classification, document prep, and CBP filing.
ISF filing fee: $35–$75 per shipment. Required on all ocean imports 24 hours before vessel departure.
Customs bond (single-entry): Approximately 0.5% of the total duties, taxes, and fees — minimum around $50. Continuous bonds ($50,000 face value) run $300–$500 per year and are more cost-effective if you import regularly.
Exam fees: If CBP selects your container for a CES (Centralized Examination Station) exam, expect $300–$900 in exam and handling fees on top of any delay costs. Your broker cannot prevent a CBP exam, but experience with your commodity and trade lane can reduce the frequency.
Demurrage and detention: Not a broker fee, but a real cost tied to slow clearance. Containers that sit past their last free day at PortMiami or Port Everglades accrue $150–$450 per day. Fast filing and an integrated drayage partner are the best protection.
ISF filing: the most common compliance mistake
The Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2) must be submitted at least 24 hours before a vessel departs a foreign port. Late or inaccurate ISF filings carry CBP penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. Many small importers skip ISF management entirely and pay their freight forwarder to handle it — confirm your broker includes this in their scope, and that they file from the bill of lading data, not from memory.
PortMiami vs Port Everglades: which broker do you need?
Both ports sit within 30 miles of each other but have different terminal operators, congestion patterns, and commodity specializations. PortMiami vs Port Everglades breaks down the full comparison, but as a rule: PortMiami handles more containerized retail and consumer goods; Port Everglades handles more petroleum, bulk, and perishables. A broker with experience at both gives you flexibility as trade lanes shift.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Miami-based customs broker to import through PortMiami?
Not strictly, since brokers with national permits can file from anywhere in the U.S. But a broker who physically operates near PortMiami and Port Everglades — and has relationships with the terminal operators — can respond faster when CBP flags a hold or an exam is ordered. Local presence matters most when things go wrong.
How much do customs brokers in Miami charge?
Entry filing fees typically run $75–$200 per shipment. Add ISF filing ($35–$75), bond fees, and any exam or exam-handling costs if CBP selects your container. Duties and taxes are separate and paid directly to CBP — your broker collects and remits them on your behalf.
Can one company handle customs clearance and trucking?
Yes, and it is strongly recommended. Asset-based 3PLs like Go Freight coordinate clearance with their own drayage fleet and bonded warehouse, so a released container moves within hours rather than sitting while you find a separate carrier. This single-handoff model is the most effective way to avoid demurrage in South Florida.
What is a continuous customs bond and do I need one?
A continuous bond covers all your U.S. imports for a 12-month period at a flat annual fee ($300–$500 for a $50,000 bond). If you import more than roughly 10 shipments per year, a continuous bond is almost always cheaper than purchasing single-entry bonds per shipment. Your broker can advise based on your import volume and duty exposure.
How long does customs clearance take at PortMiami?
A clean, pre-filed entry with an accurate ISF can clear in as little as a few hours after vessel arrival. Exams — either a document review or a physical CES exam — add 1–5 business days. Average clearance time at PortMiami runs 24–48 hours for routine shipments with no flags.
Get Miami freight and customs clearance in one call
Go Freight is an asset-based, AI-powered 3PL in Miami handling drayage, customs coordination, bonded warehousing, hazmat, LTL, and last-mile delivery. No double brokering. Get an instant quote or call (786) 445-0150.