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How we compare

Four ways to file US customs.Customs broker vs self-filing software, and the options in between.

Each option below is the right call for somebody. Here's when each one fits, when teams move on, and where MyCargoLens sits.

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Facts about other providers last checked October 23, 2026. We re-check every quarter.

The short answer

  • Keep your broker if you want someone else to handle filing and advice, and your volume is low.
  • Pick a broad ABI suite if you need in-bond, FTZ, drawback or AES in one system.
  • Pick MyCargoLens if you file ISF and entries yourself, every week, and want each filing checked before CBP sees it, with the price agreed before you file.

Five questions to ask any option

  1. Who sends the filing to CBP, and who's responsible for it? (The importer of record is responsible either way.)

  2. When do you see the price? Before you file, on the invoice, or at contract renewal?

  3. How do you see a deadline coming? A clock on every ISF, or someone watching a sheet?

  4. What gets checked before CBP sees it, and how is a rejection explained?

  5. What does it file,and what doesn't it?

Side by side

  • Your customs broker

    Who sends it to CBP
    Your broker
    Who's responsible
    The importer of record
    When you see the price
    Your broker's fee schedule, on the invoice
    Seeing deadlines coming
    What your broker reports to you
    Checks before CBP
    Your broker's licensed review
    Advice on classification and compliance
    Yes (licensed)
    Scope
    Whatever your broker handles

  • Spreadsheets, email and a terminal

    Who sends it to CBP
    Your team, through whatever system you have
    Who's responsible
    The importer of record
    When you see the price
    Your team's time
    Seeing deadlines coming
    Whoever watches the sheet
    Checks before CBP
    Manual
    Advice on classification and compliance
    No
    Scope
    Whatever you build

  • Established ABI software

    Who sends it to CBP
    Your team, through the vendor's software
    Who's responsible
    The importer of record
    When you see the price
    Usually a quote, licence or contract; most don't publish software prices on their websites (checked October 23, 2026)
    Seeing deadlines coming
    Varies by product. Ask to see it in a demo
    Checks before CBP
    Data checks are common. Compare what each one flags
    Advice on classification and compliance
    No
    Scope
    Often the broadest: some file in-bond, FTZ, drawback and AES

  • DIY online filing services

    Who sends it to CBP
    The service, for you
    Who's responsible
    The importer of record
    When you see the price
    Published on their websites
    Seeing deadlines coming
    Varies by service
    Checks before CBP
    Varies by service
    Advice on classification and compliance
    Some partner with a licensed broker
    Scope
    Usually ISF, entry summary and bonds

  • MyCargoLens

    Who sends it to CBP
    Your team, through MyCargoLens
    Who's responsible
    The importer of record. We're software, not a broker
    When you see the price
    ISF price on our website, charged when CBP accepts. Customs entry and volume: talk to us
    Seeing deadlines coming
    A clock on every ISF, alerts at 72, 48 and 24 hours before it; open work ranked in one inbox
    Checks before CBP
    Rule checks on every draft, optional AI review, rejections explained with fix steps
    Advice on classification and compliance
    No. HTS suggestions with reasoning; you or your broker decide
    Scope
    ISF-10, ISF-5, 7501, 3461. In-bond, FTZ, drawback, AES aren't available

Category descriptions are general. Individual brokers, vendors and services differ. Vendor facts dated October 23, 2026.

Each option, fairly

Your customs broker files it

Right choice when
you want zero involvement, you need licensed advice on most shipments, or you ship a few times a year.
Teams look elsewhere when
fees keep rising, a rejection or redo arrives without a clear explanation, or nobody in-house can see what went out under the IOR number. One brokerage CEO told Reuters (opens in a new tab) they raised US rates “because of the new and added complexity”.
Where MyCargoLens fits
keep your broker for advice if you like. Your team files ISFs, or ISF and entry together, and sees each one checked and tracked through liquidation.
For importers

Spreadsheets, email and a terminal

Right choice when
volume is small, the team knows the routine, and nothing has gone wrong yet.
Teams look elsewhere when
an ISF slips, the team grows, or an audit asks who sent what and when.
Where MyCargoLens fits
the same work, ranked by what needs you first, a deadline clock on every ISF, and every CBP request and response kept on the filing.

Established ABI software

Right choice when
you need in-bond, FTZ, drawback or AES in the same system, you run bulk e-commerce volumes, or your forwarding ERP already includes customs.
Teams look elsewhere when
renewal comes up and the price isn't known in advance, or the team only needs ISF and entry and wants one inbox for them.
Where MyCargoLens fits
narrower on purpose. ISF and entry with a ranked inbox, checks before submit, and a price written down. You can start with one lane, next to what you already run.

As of October 23, 2026

DIY online filing services

Right choice when
it's your first import or a one-off, you want a guided form and a partner broker behind it, and the lowest price per single filing matters most.
Teams look elsewhere when
they file every week, several people need access, or they want consolidations, ISF-5 or an API.
Where MyCargoLens fits
built for teams filing regularly: templates and bulk submit, four roles, ISF-5 and an API with signed webhooks. For a single ISF, a DIY service will usually cost less than our $45.

As of October 23, 2026

When we're not the right fit

  • You need in-bond, FTZ, drawback or AES in the same tool
  • You want someone to file for you and give licensed advice
  • You ship once or twice a year
  • You run bulk e-commerce entry volumes

If that's you, tell us on a call and we'll say so.

How MyCargoLens charges

Importers filing their own

ISF $45 per accepted ISF, no monthly fee · Customs entry: talk to us

See pricing

NVOCCs, forwarders and brokers filing at volume

Volume pricing on request, agreed in writing.

Volume pricing
  • You're charged when CBP accepts. Rejected filings aren't charged, and resubmits are never charged twice.

We don't claim to be cheaper than your broker. We compete on what you can see before a filing goes, and on telling you the price before you file.

Start with one lane

  1. 1

    Book a 20-minute demo.

    We look at how you file today and show the parts that matter.
  2. 2

    We set your team up.

    Accounts are provisioned by our team, with the right roles from day one.
  3. 3

    Run one lane next to what you have.

    Keep your broker or current system for everything else until you decide.

We're early, so you can check our records before you trust them. Every CBP request and response is logged, the audit trail exports to CSV, and every filing exports as a PDF.

See what we've shipped

Questions about switching

Yes, importers can file their own, and many use a broker for some or all of it. Self-filing comes with requirements that depend on what you file; we'll go through them with you on the demo.

Book a demo

Compare it on your own filings.

In 20 minutes we'll look at how you file today and show you where MyCargoLens would and wouldn't fit.

Book a demoFor importersFor NVOCCs and forwarders