What’s the Role of a Customs Broker vs. CHA?

Two Titles. One Costly Mistake.

The shipment was packed. The documents checked out. The deadline? Tight — but manageable.

Then came the customs hold.

Not because of what was in the container. Not because of a paperwork error. The problem? The company had hired someone claiming to be a “customs broker,” when what they really needed was a CHA.

Two weeks lost. Thousands in demurrage fees. A frustrated client threatening to walk.

It happens more often than most businesses care to admit. Many assume CHA in logistics and customs broker are just two names for the same job.

They’re not.

The difference might seem small — until your shipment’s stuck, your timeline is wrecked, and you’re explaining a delay you never saw coming.

Let’s clear this up before it costs you too.

What a Customs Broker Really Does

They’re not driving forklifts or unloading containers — but in many global supply chains, a customs broker is the gatekeeper to moving your cargo across borders.

Here’s what they handle:

• They classify goods with accurate HS codes
   
• File documents with customs agencies
   
• Ensure full regulatory compliance
   
• Act as your legal liaison with customs officers
   
• Catch red flags before they cause real delays
   

Think of a customs broker as your digital compliance translator — the one who turns complex shipping data into language customs understands and accepts.

They’re essential. But depending on your route and destination, they might not be enough.

The CHA Role — And Why It’s Critical in Indian Logistics

Here’s where the landscape changes.

CHA full form in export? Customs House Agent.
CHA meaning in logistics? The person who physically ensures your goods clear customs — especially in countries like India, where in-person coordination is still very real.

Unlike brokers, CHAs are licensed to operate on-site, dealing directly with port authorities and customs officials.

They’re the ones who:

• File Bill of Entry and Shipping Bills
   
• Submit physical documents and attend customs queries
   
• Coordinate duty payments and approvals
   
• Ensure goods are released from the terminal — not just cleared on paper
   

At SJ Logistics, our CHA team once stepped in for a client who had unknowingly hired only a broker for an Indian port clearance. Their container sat for four days — until we deployed a licensed CHA to the terminal. Shipment moved the same afternoon.

That’s the thing: a customs broker works the screen.
A CHA walks the terminal.

Where the Lines Blur — and Where They Don’t

Yes, brokers and CHAs both touch customs.
  Yes, they both deal in documentation and compliance.
  But no — they’re not the same.

In most Western markets, a customs broker is authorized to act electronically on your behalf.

In India and similar regions, a CHA is legally required to manage the physical customs clearance process.

A broker may never leave their desk.
  A CHA may be on-site, negotiating delays, fixing filings, and physically walking your goods through clearance.

And when you don’t know who’s doing what — or worse, hire the wrong one — you’re looking at delays, fines, or worse, cargo you can’t move.

One clears it on paper.
  The other clears it through the gate.
  You need to know which one you actually need.

So, Who Should You Be Talking To?

If you're shipping into the U.S., you're likely working with a licensed customs broker.

But if you're exporting from India — or importing into a region that still requires physical customs processing — you need a CHA in logistics who’s certified, experienced, and on the ground.

In complex global shipments, the smartest move is to partner with a freight forwarder who understands both roles — and assigns the right one at the right time.

That’s what we do at SJ Logistics.
  We’ve seen too many companies guess — and pay for it. That’s why our CHA team doesn’t just “handle customs.” We own it, with clarity, compliance, and control.

Don’t just ask, “Can you clear customs?”
  Ask, “Who’s clearing it — and are they licensed to?”

Don’t Wait Until Your Shipment Is Stuck

This isn’t just about titles. It’s about trust.

If your forwarder can’t clearly tell you who is managing your customs clearance, where they’re based, and how they’re licensed — that’s a delay waiting to happen.

In freight forwarding, you can’t afford guesswork at the gate.

The difference between a CHA and a customs broker might not seem critical… until it’s the reason your cargo sits untouched at the port.

The right person keeps your shipment moving.
  The wrong one sends you into damage control.

Need a Trusted CHA? You're Already in the Right Place.

At SJ Logistics, we don’t just manage freight — we clear it.
With a licensed, on-ground CHA team and deep logistics expertise, we make sure your cargo doesn’t get stuck behind red tape.

Whether you’re exporting from India or managing complex international shipping, we bring speed, accuracy, and compliance to every clearance.

Let’s move your cargo — clean, fast, and fully compliant.
Talk to the CHA experts at SJ Logistics today.