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?
The CCS course runs from October 1, 2024 until September 26, 2025.
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: Law and Security Administration – 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 | 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 2024, the previous two academic years are October 2022-September 2023 and October 2023-September 2024.
There will be a $35 fee for NSF cheques.
The CSCB is proud to present two types of student awards to the most successful CCS program graduates.
CSCB Board of Directors National Award
Each year, a student (or students in the event of a tie) with the highest score in the CCS course in Canada will be recognized with:
- a desktop memento;
- a cash award of $500; and
- a complementary registration for the next CSCB National Conference.
Only students employed by CSCB member firms at the time of enrolment are eligible for the national CCS student award.
Regional Awards
Each year, for each CSCB region, a student (or students in the event of a tie) with the highest score in the CCS course will be recognized with:
- a desktop memento; and
- a cash award of $250.
All students are eligible for the regional CCS student awards.