CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) Program

CCS Course Re-Designed to Enhance Student Experience

The CCS course has been known for both its quality and its value since its inception. More than 4,900 Canadians now call themselves Certified Customs Specialists.  

Student success is important to us at the CSCB. For that reason, we have moved the CCS course to a new platform where you will benefit from a more interactive learning experience designed to meet the diverse requirements of adult learners. We are confident you will find the course easy to use, accessible and that your learning experience will be enhanced. We have developed a series of self-checks and practice tests that will enable you to monitor your progress through the course. Even with all of these changes, students can be confident that the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the course materials remain of the highest standard.

Program Description 

The CCS course is a self-guided online course and is broken down into 10 parts. Each part has an open- book graded test at the end, the total of which will make up 20% of your final grade. The final exam, which is online, closed-book, timed and proctored, will make up 80% of your final grade. You will be given access to a practice exam some weeks prior to the final exam in order to familiarize yourself with the process.

Here is an outline of the CCS course content:

  • PART 1:  The Certified Customs Specialist
  • PART 2: Complying with the Rules of Trade
  • PART 3: Moving Goods across the Border into Canada
  • PART 4: Applying the Tools of Trade
  • PART 5: CUSMA: Canada's Most Significant Trade Agreement
  • PART 6: Considerations when Requesting the Release of Goods
  • PART 7: Requesting the Release of Goods
  • PART 8: Accounting and Payment of Duties and Taxes
  • PART 9:  Adjustments
  • PART 10: Exports from Canada

A final grade of 65% must be achieved in order to pass the course and achieve the Certified Customs Specialist designation.

Forums

At the onset of the course you will be invited to participate in discussion forums. There will be specific forums available for each of the 10 parts of the CCS course. The forums will allow for discussions among students and with the course facilitator.

Duration

The CCS course runs from October 2, 2023 until September 27, 2024.

Course Prerequisites

An individual may enrol if s/he:

  • has one year of verifiable experience in a Canadian customs environment; OR

  • has successfully completed the CSCB Introduction to Canadian Customs & Border Procedures online course; OR

  • has successfully completed the following Seneca College program: International Transportation and Customs (students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the program completion certificate or a transcript sent directly from the College with their application); OR

  • has successfully completed either of the following Fleming College programs: Law and Security Administration - Customs Border Services, OR International Trade OR Supply Chain Management- Global Logistics (students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the program completion certificate or a transcript sent directly from the College with their application);OR

  • has successfully completed the following St Clair College program: International Business Management-Logistics Systems certificate (students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the program completion certificate or a transcript sent directly from the College with their application); OR

  • has successfully completed the following Loyalist College program: Customs Border Services (students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the program completion certificate or a transcript sent directly from the College with their application); OR

  • has successfully completed the following Centennial College program: Supply Chain and Operations diploma, Supply Chain and Operations Management advanced diploma, or Supply Chain Management - Logistics graduate certificate; OR

  • is a current US CCS Designate.

Tuition Fees

Providing you meet the enrolment requirement, enrolment is considered finalized when the CSCB has received full payment of tuition fees. Course access details will be emailed to students in the first week of October.

NOTE: This course is taxable. All prices are in Canadian dollars.

STUDENT CATEGORY
EMPLOYEES OF 
CSCB MEMBERS, CBSA & OGD
EMPLOYEES OF 
EMPLOYEES OF NON-MEMBERS OR UNEMPLOYED
New Applicant
$725.00
$1,200.00
$1,500.00
Former applicant who did not pass the CCS course within the last two academic years*
$398.75
$660.00
$825.00

* For example: it is currently 2023, the previous two academic years are October 2021-September 2022 and October 2022-September 2023.

There will be a $35 fee for NSF cheques.

Academic Policy and Conditions

Program details regarding the final examination, withdrawals, etc. are provided in the Academic Policy and Conditions.

Facilitator

The CCS course facilitator is Paul Reinert. He can be reached at: [email protected]. The main contact email address for questions regarding CSCB courses is: [email protected].

Note to Employers

Because of legally-binding declarations of privacy and understanding the academic policy of the course, the application for this course must be completed by the student (using a personal or private business email address).

Questions and Comments

If you have any questions about the CCS course, please email us at [email protected].

Registration

Registration for the academic year 2023-24 is now closed. Registration for next academic year will open in August 2024.