Canadian customs brokers are entities, not individuals. A customs brokerage firm can be a sole proprietorship, a partnership of individuals or corporations, or a corporation.
As a condition of being licensed, a customs brokerage firm must employ at least one Qualified Officer.
The first requirement for becoming a Qualified Officer is successfully passing the Customs Brokers Professional Examination, administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This exam is open to anyone who registers with the CBSA and pays the required fee. However, it's important to note that the exam is challenging and has a relatively low pass rate. Therefore, it is highly recommended that individuals have a solid background in the brokerage industry, either through education or experience, before attempting the exam.
It is also important to understand that passing the examination alone does not qualify an individual as a customs broker. The title “customs broker” is reserved for individuals, partnerships, or corporations who are authorized to transact business under the authority of a customs brokers licence issued by the CBSA.
For more detailed information, you can review the following links from the CBSA:
- How to register for the Customs Brokers Professional Examination
- Official government policy on the Customs Brokers Professional Examination (Memorandum D1-8-3: Canada Border Services Agency Customs Brokers Professional Examination)
- Official government policy on licensing of customs brokers (Memorandum D1-8-1: Licensing of Customs Brokers)
Education Programs for Aspiring Customs Brokers
While there are no official preparatory courses available for the Customs Brokers Professional Examination, some education programs can help build the necessary knowledge and skills. Our dynamic education programs have helped many graduates successfully pass the exam.
Our education offering is divided into three tiers:
- Introduction to Canadian Customs & Border Procedures course is suitable for individuals requiring basic information about the Canadian import-export process.
- Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) Program, our flagship professional designation program, is suitable for trade professionals requiring specialized customs knowledge. Please review the pre-requisites carefully.
- Certified Trade Compliance Specialist (CTCS) Program, an advanced professional designation program, is suitable for trade professionals requiring specialized trade compliance knowledge.
Recommended Modules for Exam Preparation
We recommend completing the CCS program at a minimum before attempting the Customs Brokers Professional Examination. Additionally, completing several modules from the CTCS program can further enhance your preparation:
- Harmonized System of Tariff Classification
- Valuation and Transfer Pricing
- Rules of Origin and Trade Agreements
- Refunds, Duty Deferral, and Remissions
- Customs Compliance, Verification, and Audit
- Special Import Measures Act (SIMA)
- Trusted Traders
A list of recommended reference materials is available in the Appendix of D1-8-3: Canada Border Services Agency Customs Brokers Professional Examination.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to email [email protected].