Checklist: What to Ask Your Freight Forwarder and Customs Broker
Navigating customs and logistics is complex and costly, but a partner with the right expertise changes everything. An experienced partner lowers risks, maximizes refunds, and keeps your cargo moving seamlessly. Don’t leave compliance or cash flow to chance.
Why Choosing the Right Partner Matters
Navigating customs and logistics is complex and costly, but a partner with the right expertise changes everything.
An experienced partner lowers risks, maximizes refunds, and keeps your cargo moving seamlessly. Don’t leave compliance or cash flow to chance — here’s how to find the freight forwarder and customer broker who can make a real difference.
Freight Forwarder vs. Customs Broker: What’s the Difference?
While some companies offer both freight forwarding and customs brokerage, these are two distinct services. Understanding the difference between the two is key to finding the logistics partner for you. Let’s take a look:
Customs brokers specialize in U.S. customs compliance, import/export regulations, and duty recovery.
Freight forwarders coordinate the global movement of goods, booking cargo, managing NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) services, and streamlining transit.
NVOCCs act as carriers without operating their own vessels—ideal for global ocean freight.
The bottom line: Many companies combine customs brokerage and freight forwarding — but you should always confirm their expertise and credentials for both.
Essential Questions to Ask Before You Ship
Compliance & Regulatory Expertise
- Are you licensed and bonded by U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)?
- What’s your experience with HTS classification guidelines and U.S. customs continuous bonds?
- How do you ensure compliance with changing trade regulations? (For more information, you can find customs brokerage explained here.)
Cost Transparency
- Can you clearly explain all fees, surcharges, and refund mechanisms?
- Do you proactively identify import duty refund programs or drawbacks?
- What’s your track record for duty drawback claims success?
Technology & Visibility
- Do you offer digital tracking, reporting, and secure document management?
- How do your systems integrate with our supply chain software?
- Can we access real-time compliance, duty, and cost data?
Service Breadth
- Which modes do you cover: air, ocean, rail, drayage, and consulting?
- Do you handle both customs brokerage and freight forwarding?
Continuous Improvement & Certifications
- Are you ISO-certified, and do you employ Lean or Six Sigma for process improvement?
- How do you audit performance and drive continuous compliance improvement?
Client References & Support
- Can you share recent case studies (especially duty refund/compliance wins)?
- Will we have a dedicated account manager and 24/7 support?
- How does your team address urgent customs or supply chain disruptions?
Bonus: Red Flags and Best Practices
As you evaluate potential partners, here are some red flags to watch out for, along with some best practices for finding the best match for your operations.
Red Flags: Vague about licensing, unclear on fees, a lack of data transparency, and a “one size fits all” approach.
Best Practices: Choose partners who openly share their compliance success, leverage proprietary tech, and can demonstrate a history of results for their clients.
J.M. Rodgers: Decades of Compliance-Backed Expertise
Since 1952, J.M. Rodgers has been a family-led, client-first leader in logistics and customs compliance. Our process improvement culture (CPI), proprietary technology, and focus on measurable ROI empower supply chain leaders to mitigate risk and capture savings.
- 100+ million in client duty refunds and continuous compliance wins
- Dedicated compliance experts and licensed brokers
- Advanced tracking, visibility, and integration tools
Your Next Steps
Download our Duty Drawback 101 E-Book to unlock hidden refunds.
Ready for a compliance consultation? Contact J.M. Rodgers for a complimentary analysis from a U.S. customs expert.
Learn more about customs brokerage services and explore our latest case studies.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right partner means compliance and ROI, not costly mistakes.
- Demand transparency, digital visibility, and proven compliance results.
- Tap J.M. Rodgers’ deep expertise for refunds, risk mitigation, and trusted support.
Empower your supply chain. Choose proven customs and logistics expertise and choose J.M. Rodgers.