Customs brokerage services

Brokerage services from Unitex — customs clearance and import support

Unitex offers comprehensive brokerage services for importers from major markets (Europe, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, USA, Turkey). We specialize in agricultural products, wood, furniture, food products and other cargo categories. The article includes what is included in the service, stages, cost of brokerage services, selection criteria and practical cases.

What are brokerage services?

Brokerage services are a set of actions aimed at clearing cargo when crossing the border, including preparation and submission of documents, customs clearance, interaction with customs and regulatory authorities, obtaining permits and certificates. The broker acts as an authorized representative of the importer or sender and is responsible for the correctness of the procedures.

Stages of providing brokerage services

• Initial consultation and contract analysis — checking Incoterms, TN code of foreign economic activity, certification.

• Document preparation — commercial and transport invoices, certificates of origin, sanitary/phytosanitary documents.

• Declaration submission and support at customs — electronic submission, interaction with regulatory services.

• Payment of duties, VAT and fees — calculation and collection of payments.
  Cargo receipt and post-customs support — return of collateral, document audit.

We provide a detailed protocol of actions and time limits (SLA) at each stage. For example, after receiving a full package of documents, Unitex guarantees the start of the declaration process within 24 hours, if there are no additional inspections or requests from regulatory authorities.

Work schedule for providing brokerage services

• Analysis of the commodity position and determination of the customs regime.

• Preparation of a full package of documents for customs clearance.

• Calculation of customs payments and consultation on optimization using legitimate methods.

• Preparation of customs declaration and representation during inspections.

• Obtaining permits (sanitary, phytosanitary, veterinary, certification).

• Coordination of logistics: terminals, warehouses, transportation to the place of unloading.

• Cargo insurance and work with insurance cases (if necessary).

Client: “Thanks to Unitex, we reduced the time of cargo downtime at customs by 48 hours and avoided fines due to errors in the declaration.” — Importer Manager

The cost of brokerage services and how the price is formed

The price depends on the type of cargo, the TN code of the foreign economic activity, the availability of permits, the complexity of the inspections and the selected customs regime. The main components of the cost of brokerage services:

• Fixed broker fee for one declaration.
• Additional fees for complex operations (code analysis, classification dispute).
• Fee for emergency registration or on-site specialist visit.
• Cost of cargo insurance and logistics services.

Upon request, we prepare a detailed estimate. Approximate figures in different cases can be found in the client’s account on the Unitex website.

brokerage services price – what influences

• Type of goods (raw materials, food, machinery).

• The need to obtain international certificates.
  The route and place of customs clearance (port, checkpoint).

• The urgency of clearance.

• The volume of documents and the number of customs items in the declaration.

   

Examples of price impact (mini-calculations for illustration):

• FCL container from China (food products with certification) – basic tariff + certification + refrigerated logistics = higher cost segment.
• Approximate: basic brokerage tariff + 10-25% additional costs for certification and logistics.
• Car consignment from the EU (furniture, wood) – fewer permit procedures, fast clearance, lower cost per declaration. Approximate: fixed tariff per declaration combined with minimal additional operations.

Typical Unitex pricing model: fixed tariff + agreed variable items. This allows customers to plan their budget and compare offers.

Brokerage services in Kyiv – features in the capital

In Kyiv, a significant part of imports passes through large logistics centers and border crossings. Unitex Kyiv brokerage services include forwarding to terminals, coordination with the Tax and other regulatory authorities, as well as fast shipment to the client’s warehouses. Our experience allows us to predict processing times and reduce downtime at the delivery stages.

In the capital, we also provide services to optimize the movement of goods between border crossings and warehouse hubs, which allows us to reduce overall transportation costs to the end customer.

Typical import routes – table

Comparison: brokerage services vs self-registration vs freight forwarder

Criteria for choosing customs brokerage services in Ukraine

• Availability of a license and experience in your product group – check cases and certificates.

• Transparency of pricing (brokerage services price with detailed estimate) – require a breakdown by items.

• Real cases and customer feedback – check efficiency in similar routes.

• Possibility of comprehensive support: logistics + insurance – one contact for the entire chain.

• Flexibility in emergency situations (express processing) – define SLA and response times.

• Availability of internal quality control and reporting processes – your ability to audit.

• Service model: provision of a personal manager, access to the client’s electronic account, reporting on transactions.

Criteria can be evaluated on a point scale (0–5) for quick selection of suppliers: license (5), experience in the product group (4–5), price transparency (4), speed of response (3–5), availability of insurance (3–5).

Checklist before sending cargo

• Check the foreign economic activity code and the presence of restrictions/licenses.
• Prepare commercial invoices and packing lists.
• Order a preliminary consultation with a broker regarding documents.
• Arrange cargo insurance.
• Specify the terminal deadlines and customs office working hours.
• Pre-agree on the format of electronic documents for quick declaration submission.
• Plan B: contact a lawyer and an algorithm of actions in case of claims or delays.
• Check the requirements for labeling, packaging and temperature regime (for food/frozen goods).
• Prepare copies of certificates of origin and quality certificates in advance.

List of works and documents provided by Unitex

• Preparation and submission of customs declaration.

• Issuance of sanitary/phytosanitary and veterinary certificates.

• Support during inspections and provision of access to warehouses.

• Reporting to the client: full package of documents and calculation of payments.

• Consultations on the application of preferential agreements and rules of origin.

• Preparation of legal documents for appeals and customs applications.

Legal note: customs clearance is carried out in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine. Unitex acts as an authorized broker and provides a full report to the client on the actions taken.

Typical costs and guidelines for the cost of customs brokerage services

• Basic rate for one declaration: varies depending on the region and complexity (approximately: from basic level to the middle segment according to market conditions).

• Additional operations (certification, examinations, classification appeal) – are agreed separately in the estimate.

• Express registration or specialist visit – additional fee for urgency.

• Cargo insurance – we select individually, the cost depends on the cost of the cargo and the risks of the route.

For an accurate calculation, send the cargo specification to your personal account or via the form on the Unitex service page. We prepare an estimate with a breakdown by position and projected terms.

FAQ — the most frequently asked questions about brokerage services

• How much does brokerage services cost? The price is determined individually; base rate + additional operations. For an accurate calculation, provide a cargo specification.

• Is it possible to process imports without a broker? Technically possible, but this increases the risks of errors, delays and fines. Brokerage support is recommended for complex goods.

• How quickly does Unitex process the declaration? Standard terms are from 24 to 72 hours, depending on the complete set of documents and control procedures. In urgent cases, acceleration is possible.

• Is cargo insurance included in the provision of brokerage services? Insurance is provided as an additional service; we select the optimal conditions according to the cargo and route.

• What to do in case of a customs issue or claim? Unitex coordinates the client’s actions, prepares responses and appeals, provides legal and documentary support.

• Where can I process customs brokerage services in Ukraine? Unitex provides services throughout Ukraine, with a concentration in key ports and customs points, including Kyiv.

• What documents do you need to provide for quick clearance? Minimum: invoice, packing list, transport documents (CMR/B/L), certificate of origin (if any), licenses/permits for regulated goods.

If you need an accurate calculation of the cost of customs brokerage services or consultation on a specific cargo, leave a request on the Unitex service page or contact your personal client account.