Episode Details

When you import from Alibaba, the supplier almost always asks: "Do you have your own customs agent?" That question is a fork in the road. Take their offer and you get convenience but zero transparency on duties and fees. Hire your own broker and you gain control — but at what cost? This episode breaks down the economics of both paths: what customs brokerage actually costs per shipment, why you can't legally clear your own goods in the US or Israel, how freight forwarders and brokers differ, and what happens when something goes wrong and you're the importer of record on the hook. If you're a small importer trying to figure out whether to build your own broker relationship or stick with the supplier's bundled solution, this one's for you.