StormScale Guide

Before You Talk to a Customs Broker

A simple checklist so your first broker or freight-forwarder call is productive — and you don’t pay for avoidable mistakes.

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What a broker will ask you (and why)

A broker’s job is to determine how your goods will be classified, what documentation is required, and what duties or risks exist at the border. The clearer your inputs, the fewer surprise fees you’ll face later.

Prep checklist (copy / paste)

  • Plain-English product description (what it is + what it’s used for)
  • Materials / composition (cotton, ABS plastic, stainless steel, etc.)
  • How it works (manual, battery-powered, electronic, food, medical)
  • Brand / model (helps classification accuracy)
  • Commercial value + currency
  • What’s included (freight / insurance included or not)
  • Country of origin (where manufactured)
  • Import country

Pro tip

If you can’t confidently answer most of these, generate a prep pack before talking to a broker.

Want this prepared for your broker?

StormScale’s Broker-Ready Trade Pack generates a single professional PDF: HS summary, duty snapshot, invoice draft, packing list, and compliance checklist.

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