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CTCS (Certified Trade Compliance Specialist) Program

NOTE:

All CSCB courses are offered online through Brightspace, our learning platform.

The CTCS (Certified Trade Compliance Specialist) designation

  • recognizes the experience and expertise of international trade compliance professionals,
  • sets a standard for ongoing professional development in a field where change is constant,
  • supports a network for information sharing and collaboration.

Trade compliance is defined as ensuring that all legislation, regulatory and other requirements relating to the importation and exportation of commercial shipments are met.

The CTCS (Certified Trade Compliance Specialist) Program of Study is suitable for international trade compliance professionals looking to enhance their trade compliance knowledge. For more information on the CTCS designation, please refer to what is a CTCS designation?

Enrolment

Enrolment in the CTCS program is ongoing.

Complete the CTCS Program Entry Application

To earn the designation through the program, students are required to successfully complete 10 modules, 8 mandatory and 2 elective within 5 years of enrolling in the first module. All modules are offered online.

Mandatory modules (8):

While these modules may be taken in any order, we recommend selecting the courses in the following order.

  1. Transportation & Export Controls
  2. Harmonized System of Tariff Classification
  3. Valuation and Transfer Pricing
  4. Rules of Origin and Trade Agreements
  5. GST/HST/PST/Excise Tax 
  6. Refunds, Duty Deferral and Remissions
  7. Customs Compliance, Verification and Audit
  8. Special Import Measures Act (SIMA)

Elective modules (select 2):

While these modules may be taken at any point during the CTCS Program of Study, students will be in a better position to understand them after completing the mandatory modules.

  1. Customs Brokerage Management and Client Relations
  2. Trusted Traders
  3. Importing Food
  4. Courier Low Value Shipment Program (CLVS)
  5. Human Resources

An individual may enrol in the CTCS program, if he or she has 3 years of experience in a trade compliance environment. Your experience will be evaluated according to the CTCS program criteria. If eligible, you will be invited to proceed with enrolment in the CTCS modules. 

Enrolment is considered finalized when the CSCB has received full payment of tuition fees. Course access will be provided upon processing of payment. There will be a CDN $35 fee for NSF cheques.

Student typeFees (all prices in CDN$)
Current CCS and CTCS designates, and employees of CSCB member firms, CBSA & OGD.

$ 395.00 per module (plus applicable taxes)

$ 885.00 for any three (3) modules (plus applicable taxes)

Other$ 395.00 per module (plus applicable taxes)

Each calendar year, the top CTCS graduate (or graduates in the place of a tie) will be recognized with:

  • a desktop memento; and
  • a monetary award of $250.

The top graduate is determined by averaging the marks received on their CTCS modules. Awards will be presented at the next regional conference.

Discount on a 3-module bundle

If you are employed by a corporate member firm or hold a CCS or a CTCS designation, you qualify for a discount when purchasing a 3-module bundle.

Log in and buy a 3-module bundle now!

Academic Policy and Conditions

Please review the Academic Policy, Conditions and Fees for details on program eligibility, fees, withdrawals, etc.

Questions or Comments

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions section, or contact us at [email protected].

Facilitator

The CTCS Program facilitator is Sean Patrick. He can be reached at: [email protected]. The main contact email address for questions regarding CSCB courses is: [email protected].

Forums

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