Will AI replace Customs Brokers?

AI can do 96% of the work Customs Brokers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 4 of their 23 tasks, while 16 more are ready but barely used so far. 3 still need a person.

AI is already doing this4 · 30% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Prepare and process import and export documentation according to customs regulations, laws, or procedures.Mostly automated23% of time
  • Stay abreast of changes in import or export laws or regulations by reading current literature, attending meetings or conferences, or conferring with colleagues.Mostly automated4% of time
  • Monitor or trace the location of goods.Mostly automated2% of time
  • Provide advice on transportation options, types of carriers, or shipping routes.Mostly automated1% of time

AI could do this next16 · 66% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Clear goods through customs and to their destinations for clients.13% of time
  • Request or compile necessary import documentation, such as customs invoices, certificates of origin, and cargo-control documents.8% of time
  • Classify goods according to tariff coding system.8% of time
  • Calculate duty and tariff payments owed on shipments.7% of time
  • Advise customers on import and export restrictions, tariff systems, insurance requirements, quotas, or other customs-related matters.7% of time
  • Arrange for transportation, warehousing, or product distribution of imported or exported products.4% of time
  • Pay, or arrange for payment of, taxes and duties on shipments.4% of time
  • Confer with officials in various agencies to facilitate clearance of goods through customs and quarantine.4% of time
  • Quote duty and tax rates on goods to be imported, based on federal tariffs and excise taxes.2% of time
  • Post bonds for the products being imported or assist clients in obtaining bonds.1% of time
  • Insure cargo against loss, damage, or pilferage.1% of time
  • Obtain line releases for frequent shippers of low-risk commodities, high-volume entries, or multiple-container loads.1% of time
  • Suggest best methods of packaging or labeling products.1% of time
  • Prepare papers for shippers to appeal duty charges.1% of time
  • Inform importers and exporters of steps to reduce duties and taxes.1% of time
  • Apply for tariff concessions or for duty drawbacks and other refunds.1% of time

Still needs a person3 · 4% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Sign documents on behalf of clients, using powers of attorney.1% of time
  • Contract with freight forwarders for destination services.1% of time
  • Maintain relationships with customs brokers in other ports to expedite clearing of cargo.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

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What this means

AI can already do almost all of this work at least twice as fast. Real use is still behind at 29 out of 100, so the change here is only getting started. Expect the role to shift toward deciding what to do, checking AI's work and owning the result.

What to do next

  • Do the 4 tasks AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 16 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Build on the 3 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
Compliance Officers81%Environmental Compliance Inspectors67%Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers73%Government Property Inspectors and Investigators68%Coroners61%Regulatory Affairs Specialists97%

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