How to become a customs, ship and other broker
Official title: Customs, ship and other brokers
Also called: Gas broker, Ship agent, Cargo broker, Yacht broker, Customs rater, Customs broker, Royalty broker, Ship line agent, Oil lease broker, Customs consultant, Customs house broker, Customs clearance agent
Customs brokers clear goods through customs and to their destination on behalf of importer and exporter clients. Shipbrokers buy and sell cargo space on ships and buy and sell ships, yachts and other watercraft on behalf of clients. This unit group also includes other brokers who negotiate commercial transactions, logistics or other services, not elsewhere classified, between parties on behalf of clients. They are employed by customs, ship or other brokerage establishments or may be self-employed.
Main tasks
- Customs brokers
- Prepare and process import/export documents and other forms on behalf of clients according to customs regulations, laws and procedures
- Sign import/export documents on behalf of client, using power of attorney
- Arrange for payment of duties, taxes, storage and transportation of imported goods and bonds to cover duty goods
- Quote duty and tax rates on commodities for clients
- Provide advice to clients on export and import restrictions, tariff systems, letters of credit, insurance requirements and other custom related matters
- May represent client before administrative tribunals or in other dealings with government officials
- Shipbrokers
How to become one
Completion of secondary school, and some post-secondary education in commerce or a related field is required. Customs brokers require several years of on-the-job training and completion of a customs brokers training program through the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association. A customs broker licence, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency, is required for an individual or company to operate a customs brokerage business. Shipbrokers selling cargo space on ships usually require several years of on-the-job training or related experience such as shipping company scheduling experience. Shipbrokers selling watercraft usually require in-depth experience with, and knowledge of, various watercraft. Correspondence courses from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers are available for shipbrokers.
Ways in
- College or CEGEP: College or CEGEP program. 34% of workers hold a college or other non-degree diploma (Census 2021). Common fields: Business administration, management and operations; Business/commerce, general; Criminal justice and corrections.
- Licence or registration: A customs broker licence, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency, is required for an individual or company to operate a customs brokerage business.
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $52,884 a year The middle half earn $43,134 to $64,350.
- About 7,800 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 8,600 are projected by 2033. (+10.3%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a customs, ship and other broker?
Completion of secondary school, and some post-secondary education in commerce or a related field is required. Customs brokers require several years of on-the-job training and completion of a customs brokers training program through the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association. A customs broker licence, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency, is required for an individual or company to operate a customs brokerage business. Shipbrokers selling cargo space on ships usually require several years of on-the-job training or related experience such as shipping company scheduling experience. Shipbrokers selling watercraft usually require in-depth experience with, and knowledge of, various watercraft. Correspondence courses from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers are available for shipbrokers.
How much does a customs, ship and other broker earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $52,884 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $43,134 to $64,350.
Is a customs, ship and other broker a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 10% by 2033, from about 7,800 to about 8,600 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a customs, ship and other broker?
Not always. 29% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: College or CEGEP program.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03