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Export Customs Clearance
Cleared for Departure, Every Time

Exporting goods from the United States means navigating AES filings, export licensing questions, and destination-country requirements without room for error. As a licensed U.S. customs broker and freight forwarder, W.M. Stone clears your goods for export accurately and on schedule, backed by decades of hands-on trade compliance experience.

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Your Trusted Partner for Export Customs Clearance.

Exporting goods across international borders requires more than logistics coordination, it demands precise attention to evolving regulations, documentation, and government protocols. With 250+ years of industry experience, W.M. Stone helps exporters move goods across borders without the guesswork.

As both a licensed U.S. customs broker and freight forwarder, our team manages Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing, export regulation advisory, and destination-country documentation under one roof, rather than splitting compliance and freight across separate vendors. That combination matters most when a shipment runs into a classification question or a customs hold, because the same team that filed your export paperwork can also communicate directly with customs officials to keep your cargo moving. W.M. Stone continues a long-standing Norfolk customs brokerage legacy. That depth of experience means we have seen nearly every export compliance challenge an exporter can face, from commodity classification questions to letter of credit documentation, and know how to resolve it before it delays your shipment. Simplify export customs clearance with W.M. Stone: one point of contact, complete documentation, and a compliance record you can stand behind.

Multimodal Freight Expertise

Our team connects your shipments to a global network of trusted air, ocean, and ground carriers, optimized for speed, cost, and reliability.

Export Documentation & Licenses

We prepare and validate all export-related paperwork, including certificates of origin and AES filings, ensuring full compliance with U.S. and destination-country regulations.

Scalable Support for Any Industry

From recurring high-volume shipments to one-time project cargo, our logistics solutions scale with your needs, supporting everything from raw materials to finished goods.

Licensed Broker and Freight Forwarder in One

W.M. Stone holds both a customs broker license and freight forwarder credentials, a dual capability rooted in a long-standing Norfolk customs brokerage legacy. That means EEI filing, export documentation, and the freight movement itself are coordinated under one roof.

Portside cranes and stacked cargo containers at an industrial harbor with heavy machinery in the foreground.
250+ YearsOf combined industry experience

Our Export Customs Clearance Services.

From AES filings to letter of credit documentation, our export compliance team covers every stage of clearing goods for departure.

Electronic Export Information (EEI) Filing

We manage AES filings and submit EEI to U.S. Customs on your behalf, ensuring complete and timely submission for controlled and non-controlled goods.

Export Regulation Advisory

We provide exporters with guidance on general regulatory requirements, destination-specific restrictions, and documentation best practices to ensure shipments meet all relevant standards without delays.

Regulatory Guidance & Commodity Classification

We provide expert insight on product classification, ECCN, and country-specific restrictions to reduce delays and avoid misclassification penalties.

Letter of Credit Documentation Services

We support export transactions backed by letters of credit by preparing and reviewing all required documents, ensuring full compliance with bank terms to avoid payment delays and protect your revenue.

Customs Communication & Escalation Support

If questions or issues arise during clearance, we communicate directly with customs officials to resolve matters swiftly and keep your cargo moving.

Compliance Audits & Documentation Archiving

We help maintain full audit readiness by organizing and storing export records, providing peace of mind for internal or government reviews.

The W.M. Stone Commitment.

We make international shipping predictable, transparent, and compliant.

In-Depth Regulatory Knowledge

Our team is well-versed in export laws, commodity classifications, and international restrictions to ensure your goods meet all legal requirements before departure.

On-Time Export Clearance

We process documentation quickly and accurately to prevent border delays and reduce the risk of customs holds or rejected filings.

Maintain In-Transit Control

With our oversight, you can ship with confidence knowing your exports are cleared with complete regulatory alignment, minimizing exposure to penalties or shipping setbacks.

Commonly Asked Questions.

Answers to the questions we hear most often from exporters preparing shipments for departure.

What is Electronic Export Information (EEI) and do I need to file it?

EEI is the export data required by the U.S. government for shipments above certain thresholds or involving controlled commodities, filed electronically through the Automated Export System (AES). W.M. Stone manages AES filings and submits EEI on your behalf for both controlled and non-controlled goods, so your shipment has the documentation it needs before it departs.

Does W.M. Stone help with export licensing requirements?

Our export regulation advisory service provides guidance on general regulatory requirements, destination-specific restrictions, and documentation best practices, including commodity classification and ECCN questions, so you understand what applies to your shipment and destination.

What if my product needs an export commodity classification?

Our team provides expert insight on product classification, including ECCN determinations, and country-specific restrictions to reduce delays and avoid misclassification penalties. We work through this with you before your shipment is booked for departure.

Can you handle documentation for export transactions backed by a letter of credit?

Yes. We prepare and review the documents required under letter of credit transactions to ensure full compliance with bank terms, helping you avoid payment delays and protect your revenue on export sales.

What happens if customs raises a question about my export shipment?

We communicate directly with customs officials to resolve questions or issues that arise during clearance, so your cargo keeps moving instead of sitting in a hold while a vendor tries to track down an answer.

How do I get started with export customs clearance?

Call us at (757) 800-6080 or email info@wmstone.com, and our team will walk through your commodity, destination, and shipment details to put together an export clearance plan. You can also reach our Norfolk office at 555 E. Main St, Suite 803, Norfolk, VA 23510.

Our Accreditations.

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionC-TPAT certifiedIATAFMCSA licensedFederal Maritime Commission

Let's Clear the Way for Global Growth.

Even small mistakes in export clearance can result in costly delays, non-compliance, or shipment seizures. W.M. Stone delivers peace of mind through proven systems, dedicated expertise, and proactive customs support, so your shipments meet all regulatory requirements and move efficiently through customs, every time.

(757) 800-6080