Do I need a company to import into the US, and where is the official list of customs brokers? in detail

Dear friend,

Welcome! This letter sets out what you need to know, plainly and in order.

Setting up a company

Foreigners can also form a US company. The source found no federal rule that owners must be US residents. Companies are formed state by state. The SBA says: "If your business is a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or nonprofit corporation, you'll probably need to register with any state where you conduct business activities."

Before you can import

The US has no separate import licence for most goods. The USA.gov page (last updated 24 February 2026) says: "Your importer number is your IRS business registration number. If you do not have this number or you do not own a business, you can use your Social Security number." And: "You can also request a CBP-assigned number. Complete CBP Form 5106."

This is the importer-of-record (IOR) number used at clearance. Some products still need permits from other agencies. Source: USA.gov.

Official register of customs brokers

CBP publishes the Permitted Customs Brokers Listing: CBP brokers listing. The hub page says licences are issued to "persons (i.e., individuals, corporations, partnerships, and associations) to conduct 'customs business' on behalf of other persons" (CBP customs brokers). CBP says it updates the list quarterly. The listing page itself has no date.

Fields in the table header:

• Name (Permitted Broker Name): yes.
• Licence or filer identifier (Filer Code): yes.
• City and State: yes.
• Work phone and extension: yes, but many entries are empty.
• Email address: yes, but many entries are empty.
• Street address: not shown.

For sea freight forwarders there is a second official list, the FMC Ocean Transportation Intermediary (OTI) List: FMC OTI list. It covers licensed ocean freight forwarders, licensed NVOCCs and foreign-registered NVOCCs, and the FMC says it shows the date by which each foreign-registered NVOCC must renew (FMC guidance). Foreign NVOCCs are not required to hold a licence but must register with Form FMC-65. We did not check the fields in the search results.

What to do yourself

1. Decide whether you need a US company at all. With no business you can use your Social Security number, or request a CBP-assigned number (Form 5106).
2. If you form a company, register in one state, name a registered agent in that state, then apply for an EIN by phone or Form SS-4.
3. Check whether your product needs a permit from another agency before you order.
4. To check a broker, search the CBP listing and compare the name and filer code.

When to use a licensed professional

A licensed customs broker can handle customs business for you ("on behalf of other persons"). A registered agent is a separate role: the state requires one to receive legal papers. Ask a professional about permits for your product.

Still uncertain

• FMC OTI list: we opened only the explanation page, not the search results, so the per-entry fields (licence or registration number, address, status) are not checked.
• The SBA and IRS pages carry no date.
• State rules and fees vary and are not covered here.
• This page is general information from official sources, not legal or tax advice.

Sources for this letter

1. SBA
2. IRS
3. USA.gov
4. CBP brokers listing
5. CBP customs brokers
6. FMC OTI list
7. FMC guidance