A profession that spans centuries. The Customs Broker (Despachante Aduaneiro) has existed since the 18th century in the figure of the so-called Caixeiros, professionals who worked in Brazil’s first ports on activities related to the buying and selling of products. It was only from 1860, with the need for a professional who could act as an agent for business of any kind, that the profession of Customs Broker came into view and gained importance.

Today, in foreign trade, the Customs Broker is the professional who handles the bureaucracy involved in import and export activities. The profession had its activities regulated in 2011, through Normative Instruction No. 1,205, which set out the responsibilities of both the Customs Broker and the Customs Broker’s Assistant before the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service.

In general, the Customs Broker is the legal representative of companies and entrepreneurs, qualified to handle all matters involved in cargo clearance. This professional is best prepared to deal with the documentation required for inspection and release of goods, staying in direct contact with every stage of the operation and with the logistics chain, such as carriers, warehouses, ports and airports.

The Customs Broker’s main function is to prepare the import or export declaration to be submitted to customs control, indicating the possibility of joining special customs regimes. Day to day, this professional handles the administrative side of operations, gathering data and identifying the main needs of the process.

In this role, the Customs Broker acts as the intermediary with oversight bodies such as Anvisa, Inmetro or MAPA, checking whether documents need to be issued before, during or after the goods arrive. This helps avoid fines for missing mandatory documentation and helps ensure a safe and efficient operation.

With advances in technology and changes in customs processes, the role of the Customs Broker has become even more strategic. It is no longer only about meeting legal obligations, but about offering technical advice, finding viable logistics solutions, identifying tax benefits and working to make the whole operation efficient, safe and cost-effective for the client.

In addition, the Customs Broker is an essential link between private operators and public authorities, acting with responsibility, ethics and up-to-date knowledge of legislation, special regimes and digital tools such as the Single Portal Siscomex and DUIMP.