What is a Power of Attorney (POA) and why do I need to sign this document for Flexport Customs Services?
A Power of Attorney (POA) or Customs Power of Attorney is a legal document authorizing a customs broker the authority to process Customs clearance on behalf of the importer or exporter. Customs POAs are necessary to conduct customs business on an importer’s behalf, and may need to be renewed depending on the terms of the original POA or the type of business entity.
Flexport offers customs services through our brokerage entity, Flexport Customs LLC. For these services, you will need to sign a Customs POA in order to grant us the authority to file customs entries on your behalf. Otherwise, Flexport cannot clear a shipment through Customs for you without a signed POA. Please note that the Flexport Customs POA only applies to imports into Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States; all other imports will require you to sign one of our Partner's POAs.
The POAs are signed at the time of onboarding to the Flexport platform or when you begin shipping internationally with us. Whoever is onboarding the company must send the officer of the company a link to sign the POA.
Foreign companies importing into the U.S. will require a witness secondary signature to sign the POA. The witness must also be an officer of the company
What are the typical business roles or officers for various business entities?
POAs must be signed by an officer of the company since they have the authority to sign a POA that would bind the company legally.
Depending on the type of company you have (a corporation, partnership, LLC, etc.), you may need to provide additional company registrations in addition to an officer of your company signing the POA. Below is guidance on which business officer roles/titles can sign the POA based on the type of company:
Company Type | Business Officer Roles/Titles |
LLC | Owner, Managing Member |
Corporation | President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Chairman, General Counsel, CEO, CFO, CIO, COO, CTO, CPO |
Partnership | Partner, General Partner |
*Companies outside the US may allow other roles/titles not listed in the table above. For example, if a “Director” role or officer is included in the company’s articles of incorporation, that business officer may sign the POA.