The poured-concrete building is significant architecturally and historically for the role it played in the first, transitional phase of the American customs service in Puerto Rico, from 1898 through 1931.

This period is bracketed on one end by the cession, on December 10, 1898, of the island of Puerto Rico to the United States by Spain as a condition of the Treaty of Paris ending the Spanish–American War, and on the other by the completion in 1931 of the major building and rehabilitation program undertaken by the U.S. Customs Service following World War I.

Its amplified Spanish Colonial-Revival style is in keeping with the somber economic import of its construction date, and the building provides a feeling of permanence and dignity in a minimally developed area.

The United States Custom house in Fajardo's Puerto Real was built in 1930 on a waterfront site which was originally directly on the beach, without a street.

Part of the second floor is believed to have formerly been the residence for the customs port director, although the architect's drawings indicate only office use.

The two openings on the north left and center retain their original doors and decorative iron and griHework and Terra-cotta.

The south side windows have been replaced by glass blocks while the original double board door remains in the center.

The second-floor east windows were originally steel casement-awning sash, with four sets in the center flanked by pairs at the sides.

The second floor is devoted to general working area and offices, along with a kitchen, bathroom and the roof terrace over the rear wing.

On the exterior, the first floor windows and doors on the north and east elevations are placed in large, slightly recessed arched openings, creating an arcade along the base of the building.

The original ornamental iron grille survives in the upper panel of the door to the general office and the cashier's window beside it.

There is a ladder and scuttle opening to the attic, which is unusable space filled with roof trusses and concrete framing.

There is a 1975 iron fence around the north and east sides of the building, and a masonry wall is on the south lot line.

Postal Service Puerto Real branch moved to another location near the custom house at Calle Union in Fajardo.