National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA)

What National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA) does

NCBFAA is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association founded in 1897 and headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, representing more than 1,500 member companies across the U.S. customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and international trade services industry. Its membership collectively employs approximately 110,000 people and is responsible for more than 97% of U.S. import entries and 80-85% of U.S. exports, giving the association a near-universal coverage of licensed trade intermediaries. The organization operates with a 49-person HQ staff that supports member services, advocacy, and education functions nationwide.

The association's core activities span advocacy before Congress, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal trade agencies; education and certification through its National Educational Institute (NEI), which administers the CCS (Certified Customs Specialist), MCS (Master Customs Specialist), CES (Certified Export Specialist), MES (Master Export Specialist), and CZS (Certified Zone Specialist) credentials; and recurring conferences including the Annual Conference, Government Affairs Conference, and GTE (Global Trade Education) Conference. Its revenue model is built on membership dues, certification and educational program fees, and conference registration and sponsorship.

In 2025-2026, NCBFAA has expanded its technology brokerage role through partnerships with Cervo AI (AI-powered compliance automation), OpenTrack (CTPAT program administration), and Reform (automated tariff and duty calculation), enabling members to access vetted third-party technology under the association's umbrella. Operational leadership includes a President, an Executive Vice President, and a Vice President of the Educational Institute, with ongoing advocacy programs such as GEAR (Government Education Advocacy Relationships) deepened in 2026. The association is recognized annually through industry awards such as the Walter S. Johnson Brill Award for Education and the JC Penney Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Name

National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA)

Legal name

NATIONAL CUSTOMS BROKERS & FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.

Website

https://ncbfaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCBFAA is a 128-year-old U.S. trade association representing 1,500+ customs broker and freight forwarder member companies responsible for 97%+ of U.S. import entries and 80-85% of U.S. exports, providing advocacy, certification, education, and conferences.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Regular, Affiliate, and Associate members. Regular members include customs brokers, freight forwarders, OTIs, NVOCCs, and air cargo agents. Affiliate members are regional/state associations. Associate members are international firms providing overseas infrastructure for cross-border shipments.
2. Conference and Event Registration: Revenue from the Annual Conference (April 12-15, 2026 in San Antonio), Government Affairs Conference (September 27-29, 2026 in Washington DC), and various educational events. Includes attendee registration, exhibitor fees, and sponsorship revenue.
3. NEI Educational Programs: Revenue from the NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI) providing professional development, certification programs (CCS, MCS, CES, MES, CZS), introductory courses, and continuing education. Includes professional and corporate memberships with discounted training rates.
4. Member Services and Discounts: Cost savings and discounts on business services, promotional opportunities, government agency toolkits, insurance and retirement plans, and other member benefits offered through partnerships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

NCBFAA is a nonprofit trade association that delivers tiered membership services (Regular, Affiliate, Associate), professional development and certifications through the NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI) and LogisticsEI platform, government advocacy before Congress and federal regulators, industry intelligence (Monday Morning eBriefing, CSMS messages, position papers), and premier industry conferences (Annual Conference, Government Affairs Conference, GTE Conference) for customs brokers, freight forwarders, OTIs, NVOCCs, and air cargo agents.

Product overview

NCBFAA is a trade association serving customs brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics companies rather than a software product company. Its service portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) the NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI) providing certification programs and continuing education through the LogisticsEI platform; (2) industry conferences including the Annual Conference (April, San Antonio) and Government Affairs Conference (September, Washington DC); and (3) advocacy and member services including the Monday Morning eBriefing news service. NEI offers five certification tracks: CCS, MCS, CES, MES, and CZS. The association connects over 1,400 member companies handling 97% of U.S. import entries and represents industry interests before Congress and regulatory agencies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NEI (NCBFAA Educational Institute): The educational arm of NCBFAA offering professional development, certifications (CCS, MCS, CES, MES, CZS), and continuing education for customs brokers and freight forwarders.
• LogisticsEI

Products and services

• NCBFAA Educational Institute (NEI)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 97% market coverage of U.S. import entries handled by member companies
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EPIC IB&CcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Diamond sponsor of the 2026 NCBFAA Annual Conference program. EPIC IB&C is an insurance broker providing specialized coverage for the industry.
• Tokio Marine HCCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Diamond sponsor of the 2026 NCBFAA Annual Conference program. Tokio Marine HCC is a specialty insurance group.
• Avalon Risk ManagementcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Diamond sponsor and co-sponsor of the 2026 Annual Conference Golf Tournament. Specializes in logistics insurance and risk management for customs brokers and freight forwarders.
• Roanoke Insurance GroupcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Major conference sponsor providing NCBFAA Hospitality Area, coffee bars, NCBFAA Scholarship presentation, and CCS Award presentation. Specializes in marine insurance and customs bonds.
• International Bond & Marine Brokerage, Ltd.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Sponsor of the NCBFAA Registration Desk at the 2026 Annual Conference. Provides surety bonds and marine insurance.
• Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Sponsor of the Stewart B. Hauser First Timer's Reception. ST&R is NCBFAA's General and Customs Counsel and provides legal services to the customs brokerage industry.
• Cervo AIcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 April 2026Diamond sponsor presenting the session 'From Pilot to Production: How to Deploy AI Without Breaking Ops.' Cervo AI provides an AI operating system for global trade.
• OpenTrackcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 April 2026Diamond sponsor presenting the session on small wins in compliance workflows. OpenTrack provides end-to-end container visibility software.
• ReformcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 April 2026Diamond sponsor presenting workflow automation sessions. Reform is an AI platform helping companies automate workflows in global trade.
• CoAction Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Co-sponsor of the 53rd NCBFAA Annual Conference Tuesday Night Dinner 'Diamonds, Denim & Dice'.
• Louisiana Maritime International Chamber of Commerce Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Sponsor of the Closing Reception and Keynote Address at the 2026 Annual Conference.
• North American Customs Brokers Alliance (NACBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 April 2026NCBFAA works with NACBA (including representatives from USA, Canada via CIFFA, and Mexico via CAAAREM) to drive USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC review and cross-border government engagement.
• Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP (GDLSK)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 April 2026Co-sponsor of the 2026 Annual Conference Golf Tournament.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• British International Freight Association (BIFA): BIFA is the UK trade association for international freight services, including forwarders and customs brokers. It is a regional peer to NCBFAA, comparable in scope (freight forwarding + customs brokerage representation) but focused on the UK market.
• Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFFA): CIFFA is the national trade association for Canadian freight forwarders and customs brokers. It is a regional peer to NCBFAA operating in Canada, and the two organizations already coordinate cross-border advocacy through the NACBA alliance for USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC matters.

Direct peers

• American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI): AAEI is the leading U.S. trade association representing importers, exporters, and customs brokers on trade policy, compliance, and supply chain issues. It is a direct functional peer to NCBFAA, with overlapping membership in customs brokerage and a parallel advocacy mission in Washington DC.
• National Industrial Transportation League (NITL): NITL is a U.S. trade association representing shippers and intermediaries in freight transportation policy and rail/truck/ocean issues. It is a direct peer to NCBFAA in advocacy, education, and conference programming for the U.S. freight logistics ecosystem.
• Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA): TIA is the U.S. trade association for 3PLs, freight brokers, and transportation intermediaries. It is a direct peer to NCBFAA in serving intermediaries between shippers and carriers/brokers, with overlapping educational, certification, and advocacy programs for logistics professionals.
• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP): CSCMP is a leading global supply chain and logistics professional association providing education, networking, and research. It is a direct peer to NCBFAA in offering professional development and certification programs to logistics professionals, with broader supply chain scope.

Broad incumbents

• World Shipping Council: The World Shipping Council represents the global liner shipping industry on policy, security, and environmental issues. It is a broad incumbent peer to NCBFAA in U.S. trade and ocean logistics policy advocacy, with overlapping engagement on FMC and demurrage & detention matters.
• International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA): FIATA is the global umbrella federation of national freight forwarder associations. It is a broad incumbent peer to NCBFAA at the international level, with overlapping advocacy, training (FIATA Diploma), and standards-setting roles for forwarders worldwide.
• American Trucking Associations (ATA): ATA is the largest U.S. trade association for the trucking industry, representing a much broader and deeper membership base than NCBFAA. It is a broad incumbent peer with overlapping interests in logistics policy, driver/operator issues, and industry events.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NCBFAA
• Facebookfacebook.com/NCBFAAFacebook
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-customs-brokers-&-forwarders-association-of-america-inc-
• Instagraminstagram.com/ncbfaa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America, Inc. (NCBFAA)