The best customs brokers for US importers

C.H. Robinson publishes the most complete US customs service list of the brokers we reviewed: entries, ISF, bonds, post-summary corrections and protests, reconciliation, drawback and FTZ filing. It reports more than 1.2 million US entries a year and offers SKU-level customs analytics. Prices are not published and it has no published CAPE filing service.

Also consider A.N. Deringer, Expeditors

Clearit is the only provider we found with a complete public price list, from $89.95 truck entries and $50 ISF to $200 protests, plus a published CAPE refund fee. Strix is the alternative for self-filers, with $30 self-filed entries and $100–$250 full brokerage. Clearit’s public reviews are mixed, so check recent feedback.

Also consider Strix, Freight Right, USA Customs Clearance

Expeditors has 20,000+ staff across 335+ locations in 100 countries and is licensed by CBP nationally and in each district where it operates. It pairs brokerage with FTZ services, Tradeflow trade-management software and Tradewin consulting. It publishes CAPE guidance but does not say it files refunds for clients.

Also consider Kuehne+Nagel, C.H. Robinson, DSV

Livingston says it is the fifth-largest entry filer in the US and the largest customs broker in Canada, operating at 100+ border crossings, seaports and airports. Kuehne+Nagel, through Farrow, reports 160+ certified brokers and more than 3 million declarations in North America. Livingston has no published IEEPA refund service.

Also consider Kuehne+Nagel, A.N. Deringer

UPS charges a flat $300 or $500 per CAPE declaration, which costs far less than a percentage fee on a large refund. It only covers entries UPS brokered, so importers using other brokers should compare Western Overseas (5% of the refund, capped at $20,000) or Clearit ($200 plus 4%). Few other providers publish a refund fee at all.

Also consider Western Overseas, Clearit

Flexport runs a CAPE Task Force and can buy a refund claim outright, paying in as little as two weeks. It reports a 2.6% rejection rate on CAPE entries it filed, against about 16% across CAPE. The discount on purchased claims is not disclosed, and the legal framework for transferring claims is still developing.

Finally liquidated entries need a Court of International Trade suit to reach CAPE Phase 3, and Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg has published detailed, current guidance on those suits and on protest strategy. GDLSK covers protective protests and CIT litigation in the same way. Neither firm can file CAPE itself, so you will still need your importer account or original broker.

Also consider GDLSK, Crowell & Moring

Baker Tilly’s Global Trade Management team covers CAPE eligibility, documentation, reconciliation strategy and protecting refund rights, with guidance updated on Nov 1, 2026. One of its advisers publicly criticized brokers who sought 10–15% of refunds. Like other advisory firms, it cannot file CAPE itself.

Also consider RSM, CohnReznick

Charter Brokerage has specialized in drawback since 1994, with a focus on excise-tax, petroleum and chemical claims, and says it filed more than $1B in its first two years under the TFTEA rules. Comstock & Holt is a drawback-only firm with 15 licensed brokers, and Alliance covers every drawback type and also files CAPE. Charter’s volume figures are self-reported.

Also consider Comstock & Holt, Alliance Drawback Services