Customs Broker in Houston

Name: Greenwich Mercantile — Houston
Telephone: +14157185722
Price range: $100 per filing

Port Houston is the number one U.S. port in foreign waterborne tonnage, and the epicenter of American petrochemical and energy industry imports. With approximately 70% of U.S. petrochemical production concentrated in the Houston region, the port handles massive volumes of steel, industrial equipment, chemicals, and manufacturing inputs. If you are importing through Houston, you need a customs broker who understands steel tariffs, AD/CVD compliance, and the industrial supply chain.

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Why Houston Is America's Industrial Port

#1 U.S. port in foreign waterborne tonnage.

Port Houston moves more foreign waterborne tonnage than any other port in the United States. While West Coast ports lead in container counts, Houston dominates in the sheer weight and volume of goods — steel coils, petrochemical feedstocks, drilling equipment, and industrial machinery that arrive by bulk carrier, breakbulk vessel, and container ship to supply the Gulf Coast industrial corridor.

~70% of U.S. petrochemical production.

The Houston metropolitan area and the broader Texas Gulf Coast contain the largest concentration of petrochemical production capacity in the United States. Refineries, chemical plants, and polymer production facilities import feedstocks, catalysts, specialty chemicals, and equipment through Port Houston to fuel this massive industrial base. The customs compliance requirements for chemical and petrochemical imports — including EPA, TSCA, and DOT hazmat regulations — add layers of regulatory complexity.

Major steel import hub.

Houston is one of the largest steel import gateways in the country. Steel plate, coil, pipe, tube, bar, and structural shapes arrive from producers worldwide. Steel imports are among the most compliance-intensive categories in U.S. customs — subject to Section 232 tariffs, antidumping and countervailing duties, and Commerce Department licensing requirements. Getting steel clearance wrong at Houston can result in massive financial exposure.

Growing consumer goods volume.

Port Houston has experienced significant growth in containerized consumer goods, as importers diversify away from exclusive reliance on West Coast ports. Retailers and e-commerce companies are routing container traffic through Houston to serve the fast-growing Texas and Gulf Coast consumer markets, adding a new dimension to the port's traditionally industrial cargo profile.

What We Handle for Houston Importers

Steel & Metals Clearance

We handle the full compliance stack for steel imports: Section 232 tariff calculations, antidumping and countervailing duty deposit requirements, steel import license applications, and Commerce Department scope determinations for products on the AD/CVD margin.

Petrochemical Equipment

Classification and clearance of refinery components, reactor vessels, heat exchangers, pumps, compressors, and other capital equipment for the petrochemical industry. We handle end-use provisions, temporary importation bonds for equipment arriving for repair, and classification of complex multi-component systems.

Industrial Machinery

Heavy machinery, manufacturing equipment, and industrial tools require precise HTS classification. We classify machinery accurately to capture applicable duty rates, and we identify eligibility for duty-free treatment under specific HTS provisions for certain capital equipment.

Chemical Imports

Chemical imports through Houston require EPA compliance under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), proper hazmat classification for DOT transportation regulations, and accurate HTS classification for duty determination. We coordinate the regulatory requirements across these agencies.

Oil & Gas Equipment

Drilling equipment, wellhead components, pipeline valves, subsea equipment, and oilfield supplies form a major import category through Houston. We classify these specialized products and manage the complex tariff treatment that applies to energy sector equipment.

General Customs Clearance

Beyond industrial cargo, we handle standard customs clearance for all goods arriving through Port Houston — consumer products, plastic resins, construction materials, and any other product category requiring CBP entry.

Houston-Specific Compliance Considerations

Importing through Port Houston presents compliance challenges shaped by the industrial nature of the cargo, the concentration of steel and metals trade, and the regulatory environment governing energy and chemical imports.

Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs. Section 232 tariffs impose a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports, with limited exclusions and exemptions. Every steel and aluminum entry filed at Houston must correctly apply Section 232 duties, account for any applicable exclusions, and comply with the steel and aluminum import licensing requirements administered by the Commerce Department. Errors in Section 232 application can result in significant underpayment penalties or unnecessary overpayment.

Heavy AD/CVD exposure on steel products. Houston is one of the most exposed ports in the country for antidumping and countervailing duty orders on steel. Hundreds of AD/CVD orders cover steel products from dozens of countries. Duty rates range from single digits to over 200%, depending on the product, the producing country, and the specific manufacturer. Proper scope determination — confirming whether a product falls within the scope of an AD/CVD order — requires careful analysis of Commerce Department scope rulings and product specifications.

EPA regulations on chemical imports. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates chemical imports under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Importers of chemical substances must certify compliance with TSCA, including providing Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) registry numbers, certifying that imported chemicals are on the TSCA Inventory, and complying with Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) where applicable. Non-compliance can result in the refusal of entry and civil penalties.

Department of Commerce steel licensing. The Steel Import Monitoring and Analysis (SIMA) system requires importers to obtain automatic import licenses for all steel mill products before filing customs entries. These licenses are free and automatically granted, but failure to obtain them before entry filing can cause processing delays and compliance flags. We ensure licenses are obtained and applied to every steel entry.

Breakbulk and project cargo complexity. Houston handles a significant volume of breakbulk and project cargo — oversized, overweight, or non-containerized goods that require specialized handling. These shipments often involve complex valuation questions (is the imported item a single article or multiple articles?), multi-shipment entries, and temporary importation provisions. The customs treatment of project cargo requires careful planning before the first shipment arrives.

Steel Trade and Section 301 at Houston

Houston's role as a steel import hub places it at the intersection of multiple overlapping trade remedy programs. Understanding how these programs interact is critical for importers clearing steel and metals through Port Houston.

Section 232 plus AD/CVD stacking. Steel imports from countries subject to both Section 232 tariffs and AD/CVD orders face compounded duty rates. For example, certain steel products from countries with high AD/CVD margins may face combined rates exceeding 250% when Section 232 is added. The financial exposure from incorrect duty calculation is enormous, and CBP actively audits steel entries at Houston.

Section 301 tariffs on steel inputs. Some steel products and related industrial goods are also subject to Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods. When Section 301 applies in addition to Section 232 and AD/CVD, the layered tariff calculation becomes exceptionally complex. We track the applicable tariff programs for every entry and calculate the correct total duty deposit.

USMCA and steel from Mexico. Steel products from Mexico may qualify for USMCA preferential treatment, which can affect the application of Section 232 tariffs. However, USMCA rules of origin for steel require that the steel be melted and poured in a USMCA country. We verify origin documentation to ensure proper treatment under both USMCA and Mexico trade programs.

Scope rulings and product-specific analysis. Many steel products fall in gray areas regarding AD/CVD scope. Is a particular fitting covered by the steel pipe AD/CVD order? Does a welded tube product fall within the scope of the cold-rolled flat products order? We analyze Commerce Department scope rulings and product specifications to make accurate determinations.

Industries We Serve Through Houston

Energy & Oil and Gas

Customs clearance for drilling equipment, wellhead components, subsea systems, pipeline materials, and oilfield supplies. Classification of specialized energy equipment, temporary importation for repair and return, and coordination with project cargo logistics.

Steel & Metals

Full-service steel import compliance: Section 232 tariffs, AD/CVD deposit calculations, steel import license procurement, scope analysis, and country-of-origin verification. We manage the most compliance-intensive commodity category at Port Houston.

Petrochemicals

Clearance of chemical feedstocks, catalysts, specialty chemicals, and polymer inputs for Gulf Coast production facilities. TSCA compliance, CAS number verification, hazmat documentation, and proper duty classification for chemical compounds.

Industrial Manufacturing

Classification and clearance of manufacturing equipment, industrial components, precision tools, and production inputs. End-use provisions, temporary importation for manufacturing, and duty optimization for capital equipment purchases.

Construction Materials

Import clearance for structural steel, concrete reinforcement, prefabricated building components, and construction equipment. AD/CVD applicability assessment, Section 232 tariff management, and proper classification for materials used in commercial and infrastructure projects.

Consumer Goods

Growing containerized consumer goods volume through Houston serving Texas and Gulf Coast markets. Standard customs clearance, CPSC compliance for consumer products, and classification for retail goods diversifying away from West Coast port dependence.

Pricing & How to Get Started

Greenwich Mercantile charges a flat $100 per filing for entries at Port Houston — any product, any value, any government agency. There are no surcharges for Section 232 steel tariffs, AD/CVD calculations, EPA chemical filings, or after-hours processing. For a full breakdown of how our pricing compares to other brokers, see our customs broker cost guide.

No minimum volume. Whether you are filing 5 entries per month or 500, the rate is the same. We work with importers of all sizes at Houston.

30-minute consultation. Book a free consultation and we will review your Houston import operations, identify compliance risks, and show you exactly how we can help. Most importers are fully onboarded within an hour.

Fast onboarding. We handle your power of attorney, continuous bond procurement, and ACE setup. If you are switching from another broker, we manage the transition so there is no disruption to your shipments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does customs clearance take at Port Houston?

Standard ocean cargo clearances at Port Houston typically process within 2 to 5 business days from vessel arrival, depending on cargo type and whether the shipment is selected for examination. Steel and metals subject to Section 232 tariffs or AD/CVD orders may require additional processing time for duty deposit calculations and Commerce Department documentation. Breakbulk and project cargo with oversize or overweight components can require extended terminal coordination. Pre-filing entries before vessel arrival significantly reduces dwell time.

Do I need a Houston-based customs broker?

No. A licensed U.S. customs broker can file entries at any port in the United States, including Port Houston. What matters is that your broker understands the commodities and compliance challenges specific to Houston — Section 232 steel tariffs, AD/CVD assessments on metals, EPA chemical import regulations, and the energy industry supply chain. Greenwich Mercantile files entries at Houston remotely with the same speed and expertise as a locally based broker.

What products come through Port Houston?

Port Houston is the number one U.S. port in foreign waterborne tonnage. Major import categories include steel and metals, petrochemical equipment, industrial machinery, plastic resins, oil and gas drilling equipment, consumer goods, and construction materials. The port also handles significant breakbulk and project cargo for the energy sector, including wind turbine components, refinery equipment, and pipeline materials.

Can you handle steel imports with AD/CVD duties?

Yes. Steel imports are one of the most compliance-intensive categories in U.S. customs, and Houston is one of the highest-volume steel import ports. We handle Section 232 tariff calculations, antidumping and countervailing duty deposit requirements, Commerce Department scope rulings, steel import license applications, and end-use certificate documentation. Incorrect AD/CVD classification can result in duty rate differences of 50% to over 200%, making accurate assessment critical.