CSCB's Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) program is the only CCS designation program offered in Canada.
The Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) course has been known for both its quality and its value since its inception in 2002. More than 5,000 trade professionals now call themselves a CCS in Canada and beyond.
At CSCB, student success and satisfaction are our top priorities. The CCS course is offered on Brightspace, a platform that provides an interactive learning experience tailored to adult learners. We believe you'll find Brightspace easy to use and accessible across many platforms, enhancing your learning experience. We've included quizzes and practice tests to help you monitor your progress. You can trust that the course materials are accurate and comprehensive. Enjoy the course!
The CCS course is a self-guided online program divided into 10 parts. Each part includes an open-book graded test, which collectively accounts for 20% of your final grade. The final exam is online, closed-book, timed, and proctored, and it constitutes 80% of your final grade. You will have access to a practice exam a few weeks before the final exam to help you 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.
For more information on the CCS designation, please refer to what is a CCS designation?
An individual may enrol if s/he has:
- one year of verifiable experience in a Canadian customs brokerage operations environment; OR
- one year of verifiable experience with a Canadian importer who is performing their own clearances; OR
- successfully completed the CSCB Introduction to Canadian Customs & Border Procedures online course; OR
- one year of verifiable experience in a Canadian supply chain environment with one of the following designations (students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the accreditation received):
- from CITT – the CCLP designation;
- from CIFFA – the CIFFA certification, the FIATA diploma, or the PFF;
- from FITT – the CITP|FIBP; OR
- from CITT – the CCLP designation;
- successfully completed one of the following programs:
- Seneca College: International Transportation and Customs
- Fleming College: Customs/Border Services Administration
- Fleming College: Law and Security Administration – Customs Administration
- Fleming College: Protection, Security & Investigations - Customs/Border Services
- Fleming College: International Trade
- Fleming College: Supply Chain Management – Global Logistics
- St Clair College: International Business Management – Logistics Systems certificate
- Loyalist College: Customs Border Services
- Centennial College: Supply Chain and Operations diploma
- Centennial College: Supply Chain and Operations Management Advanced diploma
- Centennial College: Supply Chain Management – Logistics graduate certificate
*Students requesting this type of exemption must submit a copy of the program completion certificate or a transcript with their application.
- a current US CCS Designate (NCBFAA); OR
- successfully completed the CBSA Professional Examination or the US CBP Customs Broker Licensing Exam.
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 CSCB PREFERRED BUSINESS CLIENTS | OTHER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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* | $399.00 | $660.00 | $825.00 |
| Former CCS designate who lost designation within the last 5 years** | $550.00 | $910.00 | $1,140.00 |
* For example: it is currently 2026, the previous two academic years are October 2024-September 2025 and October 2025-September 2026.
**Contact [email protected] prior to registration.
There will be a $35 fee for NSF cheques.
Please make note of the following dates for the 2025-2026 CCS course:
2025
| 2026
|
The CSCB is proud to present two annual student awards to recognize the most successful graduates of the CCS program.
CCS Top Scholar Award
Each year, the top CCS student, or students in the event of a tie, will be recognized with
- a desk-top memento; and
- a cash award of $500.
CCS High Achiever Awards
Each year, the top five students, not including the CCS Top Scholar Award recipient, will be recognized with
- a desk-top memento; and
- a cash award of $250.
Students must achieve a minimum grade of 75% to be eligible for the CCS Top Scholar Award and the CCS High Achiever Awards.