Strader Ferris International: Customs Broker
Expect a Difference.
Navigating international trade demands accuracy. That’s because it concerns regulatory awareness, coordination across transportation, warehousing, and compliance. As an international customs broker, Strader-Ferris International supports importers and exporters moving goods between Canada and the United States with licensed brokerage services backed by integrated logistics and technology.
Providing customs brokerage on both sides of the border means we help businesses reduce delays, avoid compliance risks, and, most importantly, keep shipments moving as planned. Our solutions include warehousing and trade compliance, alongside logistics for cross-border shipments.
SFI is a proud participant in U.S. Customs and Border Protection's CTPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership against Terrorism) as well as Canada Border Services Agency's PIP (Partners in Protection) programs. We encourage all traders to take part. We can help you apply today!
Why Choose SFI as Your International Customs Broker?
Choosing an international customs broker affects more than clearance speed. It influences cost control, regulatory exposure, and the reliability with which goods move through the supply chain.
SFI operates as an integrated customs and logistics provider rather than a standalone brokerage. Customs clearance is coordinated with transportation, warehousing, and compliance oversight, reducing handoffs and improving accountability throughout the process.
Key reasons businesses choose SFI include:
- Licensed Canadian and U.S. customs brokerage expertise
- In-house transportation and warehousing capabilities
- Practical experience supporting recurring cross-border trade
- A compliance-first approach grounded in regulatory knowledge
- Long-term partnerships built on visibility and consistency
This structure enables our team to operate as part of a broader trade operation rather than as a disconnected administrative step.
What is an International Customs Broker?
An international customs broker is a licensed professional or firm authorized to act on behalf of importers and exporters when goods cross international borders. Responsibilities include:
- Preparing and submitting customs documentation
- Classifying goods correctly
- Calculating duties and taxes
- Ensuring shipments comply with all applicable regulations
International brokerage differs from domestic brokerage because it involves multiple regulatory frameworks, border systems, and trade programs. In Canada-United States trade, this includes managing documentation accuracy, timing requirements, and compliance expectations on both sides of the border.
Businesses that ship internationally benefit from working SFI because we are a broker that understands how customs requirements connect to shipping documents, valuation rules, and duty thresholds.
Our International Customs Brokerage Services
SFI’s international customs brokerage services are designed to support businesses at all stages of cross-border trade while remaining closely integrated with logistics and distribution.
Canadian and U.S. Customs Brokerage
Licensed brokerage services support imports and exports into both Canada and the United States, including tariff classification, valuation, documentation, and clearance coordination.
Cross-Border Freight and Trucking
Customs clearance is aligned with SFI’s cross-border logistics services to reduce border delays and improve shipment predictability. Transportation planning accounts for customs timelines rather than treating clearance as a separate event.
Warehousing and Distribution
Strategically located facilities support bonded storage, consolidation, and distribution as part of a coordinated customs strategy. SFI’s warehousing services allow inventory and customs decisions to be managed together.
Trade Compliance and Consulting
Ongoing compliance support includes classification guidance, regulatory interpretation, and risk mitigation for businesses managing repeat or high-value shipments.
Technology for Automated Customs Clearance
Customs processes are supported by systems that improve data accuracy and reduce manual intervention, integrated through SFI’s technology integrations.
Systems that Simplify Customs Clearance
Technology plays a central role in modern customs brokerage when it is paired with experienced oversight. SFI uses systems that support visibility, consistency, and compliance across customs and logistics operations.
Key technology capabilities include automated document generation, real-time shipment visibility, and compliance monitoring that supports audit readiness. Systems integrate with Canadian and U.S. border programs, including ACROSS, PARS, and RMD, allowing data to flow efficiently between customs, transportation, and warehousing functions.
These tools complement human expertise by reducing errors, improving timing, and providing clearer insight into shipment status throughout the clearance process.
Who We Support
International customs brokerage requirements vary depending on shipping frequency, scale, and internal expertise. SFI supports a range of business profiles with services that adapt to operational complexity, including:
- Small Business Shippers: New to shipping? Would you benefit from clear guidance, accurate documentation, and support that reduces uncertainty during the customs process? SFI can help.
- Frequent Importers and Exporters: Businesses shipping regularly rely on consistent classification, predictable clearance timelines, and proactive compliance oversight that supports operational efficiency.
- Enterprises with Cross-Border Supply Chains: Larger organizations with complex trade flows work with SFI to coordinate brokerage, transportation, warehousing, and compliance within a single integrated framework.
Industries We Serve
SFI supports international customs brokerage across a wide range of industries, each with distinct regulatory, documentation, and operational requirements. Experience across multiple sectors allows customs processes to be aligned with how goods are manufactured, sold, transported, and distributed.
Industries supported include apparel and footwear, automotive, building materials, consumer goods, electronics, health and beauty, industrial equipment, and pharmaceutical, among others.
This industry-specific experience supports accurate classification, compliance planning, and clearance strategies that reflect the realities of each sector rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Section 321 and the Current Cross-Border Landscape
Section 321 previously allowed qualifying low-value shipments to enter the United States duty-free. As of August 29, 2025, this program has been eliminated, changing how many businesses manage cross-border E-commerce and parcel shipments.
SFI continues to support businesses adapting to this regulatory shift by helping them reassess customs strategies, documentation requirements, and alternative compliance approaches.
A Smarter Way to Manage Customs
International customs brokerage works best when it is connected to the rest of the supply chain. SFI combines licensed brokerage, integrated logistics, and compliance-focused technology to help businesses manage cross-border trade with confidence.
Whether shipping occasionally or managing a complex international operation, businesses benefit from working with a partner that takes ownership of customs as part of a larger, coordinated process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Required documents vary by shipment, commodity, and destination, but typically include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or waybill, and any permits or certificates required for regulated goods. Accurate product descriptions, values, and country of origin details are critical to avoid delays or compliance issues. Documentation requirements are closely tied to classification and valuation rules outlined in customs regulations.
Customs clearance timelines depend on factors such as shipment completeness, accuracy of documentation, inspection requirements, and border volume. Many shipments clear within hours when documentation is correct and submitted in advance, while others may take longer if additional review is required. Coordinating clearance with transportation and warehousing, as done through SFI’s integrated logistics services, helps reduce unnecessary delays.
A customs broker is licensed to prepare and submit customs documentation and ensure compliance with import and export regulations. A freight forwarder focuses on arranging transportation and managing the physical movement of goods. While these roles are distinct, they are closely connected. SFI combines licensed customs brokerage with transportation and warehousing support, allowing clearance and shipment movement to be managed together rather than through separate providers.
An international customs broker can help ensure duties and taxes are calculated correctly by applying accurate tariff classification, valuation, and country of origin rules. While brokers do not eliminate legal duty obligations, they help prevent overpayment and identify applicable trade programs or thresholds. Proper planning and compliance reduce the risk of penalties and post-entry adjustments.
The Canada Border Services Agency Assessment and Revenue Management system changes how duties and taxes are assessed and paid in Canada. SFI supports CARM compliance by helping importers understand their obligations, maintain accurate data, and align customs processes with CBSA requirements. This includes guidance on importer responsibilities, transaction accuracy, and coordination between brokerage and accounting processes through SFI’s Canada customs brokerage services.
