CBP recently posted a request for information seeking input on its process for selecting accreditors of customs broker continuing education courses, the agency said in a CSMS message Sept. 8. “CBP seeks information from organizations that believe they are able to provide accreditation services as it specifically relates to licensed customs brokers,” the RFI said.
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.
The Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) for CBP will next meet remotely Sept. 20, CBP said in a notice. Comments are due in writing by Sept. 15.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America recently urged CBP to pull back proposed new data elements on CBP Form 7501 for steel and aluminum imports, noting the information is already provided to the Commerce Department through that agency's import licensing programs and could be obtained from Commerce directly without any added burden to the trade.
CBP issued the following releases on commercial trade and related matters:
CBP released on June 22 its final rule on continuing education for licensed customs brokers. The notice details requirements for individual brokers to meet the continuing education requirements, as well as the accreditation process for courses. As expected, the agency will require brokers to complete 36 hours of continuing education each triennial reporting cycle, beginning with the cycle ending in 2027.
CBP’s final rule on continuing education for customs brokers makes few changes to the agency’s underlying proposal, though much remains to be decided during the implementation process, including specific criteria for approving continuing education courses and accreditors.
A logistics consulting company cannot act as an importer of record for various wireless electronics devices because it has insufficient financial interest in the goods at issue, CBP ruled June 5. The decision came in response to a binding ruling request from Your Special Delivery Services Specialty Logistics (YSDS).
CBP will expand its preliminary hold notification benefit for Trade Compliance program members of the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (CTPAT) to include withhold release orders (WROs) and forced labor findings, the agency announced in a May 30 letter to CTPAT participants. Preliminary hold notifications were first offered as a benefit for Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) holds back in March (see 2304260045).