Customs brokers are cross-border trade gurus. With tariff whiplash, they’re facing ‘toxic uncertainty’ [Video]

Dan Patrick De Los Santos’s workday looks very different then it did a few months ago before the Trump administration tariffs upended trade — and his job description.  

Before the levies hit, De Los Santos said about 80 per cent of the shipments he helped to clear customs were routine. 

But now, “honestly, it’s just damage control,” the customs broker said.  

De Los Santos works for Inland Customs Brokers Ltd., a company based in Guelph, Ont. He’s among the people who manage the details for how to get goods through customs. 

They help businesses understand how much duty might apply to their imports and exports and whether they are subject to any health and safety clearances. Then, their job is to file that information with the government. 

With the ever-changing tariff landscape, De Los Santos has been working overtime.

“My job used to be nine to five, Monday to Friday. …