The following summarizes a Journal of Commerce article from 11 April 2013.
The role of the customs broker in the international supply chain is evolving, and brokers have mixed feelings about the changes their industry will undergo.
Brokers will become more “professional” as they work closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to develop requirements for continuing education in order to maintain their broker’s license.
CBP will also leverage the expertise of brokers in scrutinizing their importer clients in a public-private partnership to improve security in the international supply chain.
While customs brokers welcome the opportunity to become more relevant in international trade, they also recognize that they are assuming increased liability to ensure the documentation they file on behalf of importers is accurate and complete…
Elena Ryan, the agency’s acting director for trade facilitation, said the initial feeling is that brokers will be required to take 40 hours of continuing education over a three-year period. The program that is being worked out will go beyond classroom instruction to include Customs Webinars, trade symposiums, industry meetings...
This article is available in its entirety at: http://www.joc.com/regulation-policy/trade-compliance/us-trade-compliance/executing-111-role-customs-brokers-evolving_20130411.html (subscription may be required.)