Choosing a customs broker in Laredo affects how fast your freight clears, how many surprises you get on duties and permits, and who picks up the phone when something goes wrong. Use this checklist to compare any broker, including Eilan, on the same points.
The 10-point checklist
- 1. Both sides of the crossing. Can one team file the U.S. entry (ACE) and the Mexican pedimento on the same shipment, or will you coordinate two brokers?
- 2. Credentials you can verify. Ask for the broker’s credentials on each side and check them with the U.S. and Mexican customs authorities.
- 3. Your product and its permits. Does the broker handle the agencies your cargo needs: FDA, USDA/APHIS, EPA and DOT in the U.S.; SENASICA, COFEPRIS, Secretaría de Economía and NOM compliance in Mexico?
- 4. Special cargo. Can they handle hazmat shipments, bonded warehouse space and in-bonds (creating, clearing and cancelling)?
- 5. Warehouse capacity. Ask for real numbers: square feet, bonded space, cross-dock and transload, and where the facility is.
- 6. Availability. Do they answer fast, even after hours, and do you have one point of contact from pickup to final delivery?
- 7. Visibility. Do you get tracking and document visibility, so you are not guessing where your freight is?
- 8. Compliance approach. Do they review tariff classification and USMCA origin before the freight moves, not after a problem?
- 9. Plain answers. Do they tell you clearly what a shipment will take, and who files and who answers?
- 10. A low-risk way to start. Can you begin with one shipment or one lane, alongside your current broker?
How Eilan answers the checklist
- U.S. and Mexico customs brokerage: one team clears both sides
- Permits and compliance handled with the entry
- Hazmat shipments, bonded warehouse space, and in-bond services (create, clear, cancel)
- 200,000 sq ft of warehouse capacity in Laredo, TX, with Eilan personnel on site
- Fast answers, even after hours, with one point of contact
- WMS and tracking systems for operational visibility
- More than 30 years of experience
- A trial shipment or lane is welcome, and you can keep your current broker
Learn more: Laredo gateway · hazmat, bonded warehouse and in-bond services · how to import into Mexico · how to import into the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a customs broker in Laredo, TX?
Compare brokers on the same checklist: can one team clear both the U.S. and Mexican side, do they know your product and its permits, can they handle special cargo such as hazmat, what warehouse capacity and bonded space do they have, can you reach them after hours, and can you start with a single shipment.
Do I need a customs broker in both the U.S. and Mexico?
Yes, in practice. Formal imports into Mexico are generally filed by a customs broker (agente aduanal), and most U.S. importers use a broker for their ACE entries. A team that handles both sides removes the handoff between two brokers.
Can I use more than one customs broker?
Yes. A U.S. importer may grant power of attorney to more than one customs broker at the same time, so you can add a second broker for a lane, a peak season or a special shipment.
What should I ask a customs broker before hiring them?
Ask who files on each side of the crossing, which permits and agency requirements they handle for your product, whether they handle hazmat, bonded warehouse and in-bonds, how much warehouse capacity they have, how fast they answer, even after hours, and how they give you visibility into your shipments.
Compare us on your next shipment. Call +1 (956) 717-4150, email operations@eilantrade.com, or use our contact page.
Get a quote
Send us the shipment. We answer email 24/7.
Send these details and you get a straight answer on what it takes, how long it takes and what it costs:
- Product description and HS code, or the commercial invoice
- Quantity, weight and packaging
- Origin and destination
- Direction: into Mexico, into the U.S., or in-bond
- Your dates, and any special handling
En español: cómo elegir una agencia aduanal en Laredo
Compare a cualquier agencia aduanal con la misma lista: ¿un solo equipo despacha ambos lados (entrada ACE y pedimento)? ¿Sus credenciales se pueden verificar? ¿Conoce su producto y los permisos (FDA, USDA, SENASICA, COFEPRIS, NOM)? ¿Maneja carga peligrosa, almacén fiscal e in-bond? ¿Qué capacidad de almacén tiene? ¿Responde rápido, también fuera de horario? Eilan Trade Solutions es una agencia aduanal en EE. UU. y México con 200,000 pies cuadrados de almacén en Laredo y más de 30 años de experiencia. Llame al +1 (956) 717-4150.
¿Prefiere atención en español? Solicite su cotización en español or call +1 (956) 717-4150.
U.S.–Mexico trade updates
Rule changes, permit requirements and crossing conditions that affect your freight. Short, occasional, no sales pitch. · Actualizaciones de comercio EE. UU.–México: cambios de reglas, permisos y condiciones de cruce.