Licensing & Regulatory
Operating under a licensed U.S. customs broker
Niel Customs AI is technology that assists importers and customs brokers. Regulated customs work is performed by a licensed U.S. customs broker who takes professional responsibility for it.
The AI assists — the broker is responsible
Our platform prepares customs entries and processes documents using AI. It does not itself file or transmit entries to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Any filing with CBP is made by a licensed customs broker. AI-generated HTS classifications and duty figures are preliminary recommendations; a licensed broker must confirm them before they are relied upon or filed.
- A licensed customs broker reviews AI-assisted work before anything is filed.
- The broker confirms the final HTS classification and the substance of each entry.
- The broker exercises professional responsibility and independent judgment.
- The software prepares and organizes; it does not transmit entries to CBP on its own.
Customs-broker licensing context
In the United States, customs brokers are private individuals, partnerships, associations, or corporations licensed, permitted, and regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection under 19 U.S.C. 1641. A licensed broker is authorized to transact customs business on behalf of importers — including the preparation and filing of entries and the payment of duties. Software vendors do not hold this authority; only the licensed broker does. Niel Customs AI is designed to support that licensed professional, not to replace the license.
This page is provided for general information about how the service is structured. It is not legal advice, and it does not create a broker-client relationship. A broker-client relationship begins only when a licensed broker is engaged and the required authorization is in place.
Power of attorney is required first
Before a customs broker can act on your behalf, you must grant a valid customs power of attorney (POA). The POA authorizes the licensed broker to transact customs business for you. Preparing draft documents inside the platform does not authorize any filing — a broker acts only after a valid POA is executed and the engagement is accepted.
Broker credentials
Verified broker-of-record credentials are provided to customers and partners on request. We do not publish placeholder or unverified credential numbers.
Credentials shown as “Available on request” are placeholders pending verification.
Ready to work with a licensed broker?
Talk to our team to start the engagement, complete a power of attorney, and put a licensed customs broker behind your entries.