U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a COAC document providing input from licensed customs brokers who do not work for brokerage companies on the professionalism component of the five areas CBP is examining for reform for its broker revision project. The brokers state that some of the issues concerning the role of the broker could be addressed by expanding the definition of "responsible supervision and control" in 19 CFR 111.19 and 111.28 to include minimum annual education requirements. However, any continuing education requirement should take into account that about half of licensed brokers do not work for a permitted Brokerage company.
Licensed Customs Broker
Customs brokers are entities who assist importers in meeting federal requirements governing imports into the United States. Brokers can be private individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Customs brokers oversee transactions related to customs entry and admissibility of merchandise, product classification, customs valuation, payment of duties, taxes, or other charges such as refunds, rebates, and duty drawbacks. To obtain a customs broker license, an individual must pass the U.S. Customs Broker License Exam. Customs brokers are not government employees and should not be confused with CBP officials. There are approximately 11,000 active licensed customs brokers in the United States.
At the August 18, 2011 COAC1 meeting, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials provided an update on the status of various Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) projects and International Trade Data System (ITDS) initiatives that are in development.
Bruce Leeds of Braumiller Schulz LLP will be holding a one-day workshop on the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) on September 28, 2011 in Grapevine, Texas. The workshop will provide a basic overview of the ITAR provisions. Topics to be covered include the DDTC, articles and technical data subject to the ITAR, types of licenses for unclassified articles, license agreements, license exemptions, sanctions and prohibitions, penalties, and more. Participants will receive Certified Export Specialist (CES) credits from the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) for attending this course. The registration fee is $150. Online registration is available here.
At the August 18, 2011 COAC meeting, CBP officials and COAC members provided an update of their work on CBP’s broker revision project, which could include more robust broker vetting of importers and restricting the off-shoring of customs business.
On August 18, 2011, a COAC1 meeting was held in Long Beach, CA where CBP and COAC members discussed plans to develop recommendations for broker reform by October, roll out full-blown Centers for Excellence and Expertise in October, pilot simplified entry and financial process in October, expand the air cargo advance screening pilot to additional types of carriers and countries, and add export processing to the Automated Commercial Environment.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a notice announcing that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, October 3, 2011.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing that the following individual Customs broker licenses, as well as any and all associated permits, have been cancelled due to the death of the broker:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing that the following Customs broker licenses, as well as any and all associated permits, are cancelled without prejudice:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has revised its frequently asked questions (FAQ) document entitled "Voided Importer Record FAQs" that was issued in 2006, in order to update its instructions, among other things, on reactivating an importer record that was voided by CBP, or requesting that an incorrect importer number be voided.
On July 8, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection posted its latest edition of Frontline (Vol. 4, Issue 2), CBP's quarterly magazine on border security. Among other things, the magazine highlights CBP's recent actions towards expanding C-TPAT mutual recognition; arranging trusted traveler programs; moving to an account-based approach to security; and on leveraging the role of the broker.