Customs Documentation

Customs Power of Attorney (POA)

No customs broker or forwarder can act on your behalf without a valid power of attorney on file.

Every Customs Entry
Required For
Until Revoked
Validity
< 10 Minutes
Execution Time

What Is a Customs Power of Attorney?

A legal document authorizing a customs broker or forwarder to act on behalf of an importer or exporter with CBP.

A customs power of attorney (POA) is a legal authorization that allows a licensed customs broker to conduct customs business on behalf of an importer or exporter.

The POA is not a one-time per-shipment document — once executed, it remains valid until revoked by either party.

For freight forwarders who also hold a customs broker license, the POA is the foundation document for every client relationship.

Types of Customs POA

Different authorization levels for different customs activities.

What Does a POA Authorize?

A general customs POA covers a wide range of customs activities.

How to Execute a Customs POA

The process is straightforward but errors can invalidate the entire document.

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Common POA Mistakes

These errors cause entry rejections and clearance delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

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