Customs Brokers and Import Agencies

Course Overview

This course provides an in-depth understanding of U.S. customs admissibility, import regulations, and the role of customs brokers. Participants will learn criteria affecting admissibility, restricted imports, CBP detention procedures, importer qualifications, and customs brokerage services. The course also explores CBP’s mission, key regulatory agencies, and the parties involved in commercial importation, along with compliance requirements for regulated products. Ideal for professionals in trade, logistics, and customs brokerage.

Define the meaning of “admissibility” in the context of international trade
Identify the general criteria which affect customs “admissibility” in the U.S.
List the types of goods that may not be imported into the U.S.
Understand the reasons why some goods in the possession of arriving travelers are “detained” by CBP
Explain operational precautions and/or additional steps a customs broker should take before processing a customs entry for goods CBP has detained from an arriving traveler
Understand the qualifications to act as a U.S importer
Identify restrictions on who may act as a U.S. importer
Explain why importers typically hire a customs broker to provide customs clearance services
Define services included within the meaning of “customs business”
List services for which a customs broker license is required, and services for which a customs broker’s license or is NOT required
Describe the types of non-CBP regulated services importers typically look to customs brokers to provide
Understand the mission(s) of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Recognize the U.S. agencies that were combined in March, 2003, to create the CBP
Name the four types of parties that are involved in a basic commercial import into the U.S.
Identify additional types of parties which may be involved in a more complex commercial importation based the transportation arrangements, commodity and/or or type of customs entry
Gain awareness of the various types of imported products which are subject to import regulation, restriction and/or U.S. compliance requirements under laws and regulations administered by U.S. agencies other than CBP, but for which CBP has enforcement responsibility and/or which require separate processing and release by the regulating agency

• The meaning of “admissibility” in international trade and the general criteria and restrictions affecting customs admissibility in the U.S.
• Roles, responsibilities, and qualifications of U.S. importers and customs brokers, including distinctions between required and non-required services.
• The mission of the U.S. CBP, its integration of agencies, and its enforcement of import regulations and compliance requirements.
• Key parties involved in commercial imports and factors influencing complex importations.
  Regulations and restrictions on imported products imposed by CBP and other U.S. regulatory agencies.