Customs brokers clear millions of shipments of imported goods, prepare required Customs documentation for further millions of export shipments, and collect billions of dollars in duties owing to the Crown each year. The broker acts as middle-man between the importer and the government on some 80 per cent of import transactions. He makes it easier for individuals and firms to comply with complex government legislation, and makes it easier for the government to encourage and obtain compliance.
More than 170,000 importers deal with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) each year. Most rely on the services of a licensed customs broker to get their shipments cleared at the border. For each of these transactions, reams of critical business data must be generated, about everything from country of origin and destinations, to suppliers, tariff classifications, routings, and intended use.
Customs brokers also provide advice to clients on customs-related matters, including regulations concerning imported and exported goods, issued by other government departments and agencies, such as ITCanada and CIFA (the Canadian Food Inspection Agency).
Traditionally, importers rely on customs brokers to pull that information together and clear the goods through Customs. But many importers are learning that this is only part of the story. Customs brokers are now helping importers leverage that information into a strategic advantage, turning information into critical business intelligence. They are offering a growing range of specialized services to help importers develop new product lines, explore new markets, evaluate the impact of global change, and cut costs.
Customs brokers perform highly technical customs accounting function, such as processing duty refunds, requests for tariff re-classifications and special applications for relief from duties, as well as consulting services.
Some customs brokers can also arrange for transportation, storage and/or distribution of goods on behalf of their clients.
This is a competitive field and each customs brokerage company must stay on top of the latest developments in computer and communications technologies, and regulatory changes.
Most customs brokers start by performing clerical functions such as data entry. With on-the-job training, education, and experience, you could be given more technical functions and may eventually progress to more senior management positions.
This is a promising career if you are willing to invest time in gaining the necessary experience. Employers are looking for people with commitment and integrity and who are able to learn quickly and are willing to take on new tasks.
The key to any successful broker-client relationship is effective communication, so you need to develop strong communication skills. The more senior you become, the more you deal with the public.
The work can be stressful. Your clients are often very anxious about receiving their shipments and they don't always understand the nature of your work. It is your responsibility to explain to them what needs to be done before their goods can be released. In such situations, you must be able to work under pressure.
Those who are CCS designates (a designation given by the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers), are recognized in the industry as having achieved a certain level of education and proficiency, and are in high demand in the work force.
In order to become a CCS designate, one must successfully complete the CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) course. Once this has been done, on-going professional development must be demonstrated by attending courses, seminars, or meetings on subjects relevant to the industry.
In order to operate a business as a customs broker, one must become a licensed customs broker. To do this, an application is filed with the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency). Requirements differ slightly, depending on whether you are applying as a sole proprietor, a partnership, or a partnership comprised of corporations.
But, in all cases, before an application is filed, one person (in the case of sole proprietor), one partner (in the case of a partnership), or one officer (in the case of a corporation), must have passed the Customs Brokers Professional Examination.
Applicants for the Customs Brokers Professional Examination are tested on their knowledge of the policies and procedures relating to the importation and exportation of goods.
This examination is offered once a year by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). There are other requirements that must be met, such as age and citizenship, before a license is granted.