June 18, 2023
Competencies of a customs broker: insights from a workshop

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Customs matters are complex and little known to the general public. This makes customs brokers an indispensable part of international trade, and with their knowledge they can greatly help their clients. What key competencies should customs brokers have? What additional key skills should they have? And what can we do to improve the competencies of customs brokers? These three questions were dealt with in a workshop organised by Customs Knowledge Community (CKC). Let's have an overview of the results.

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Topic spotlight
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Customs compliance and awareness amongst traders
29-09-2024

It would seem that customs compliance is one of the most complex and pressing issues for all companies and individuals involved in global trade. But is this really the case? Is there a widespread understanding of how important it is to be aware of customs legislation and regulations and to keep up to date with the frequent changes and innovations? This question was discussed by experts from the EU, the UK, Brazil, Israel, Pakistan and Côte d'Ivoire at the 23rd Author's Meeting. The discussion revealed that many problems hindering customs compliance are similar in many countries. We invite you to read an overview of this discussion below.

knowledge management, risk management
Topic spotlight
icon
Customs compliance and awareness amongst traders
29-09-2024

It would seem that customs compliance is one of the most complex and pressing issues for all companies and individuals involved in global trade. But is this really the case? Is there a widespread understanding of how important it is to be aware of customs legislation and regulations and to keep up to date with the frequent changes and innovations? This question was discussed by experts from the EU, the UK, Brazil, Israel, Pakistan and Côte d'Ivoire at the 23rd Author's Meeting. The discussion revealed that many problems hindering customs compliance are similar in many countries. We invite you to read an overview of this discussion below.

knowledge management, risk management
Topic spotlight
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How to build relationship with a customs broker: Step-by-step instructions from a customs official
10-03-2024

Finding the right customs broker can be a huge problem for traders. One may seem to be "your" person, but they may misunderstand you or not listen to you. Another may not have the proper level of knowledge and so on. This article is designed to help you with this search and selection process. You will find answers to the most important questions to ask when looking for a helpful broker.

Rizwan Mahmood

customs brokers
Topic spotlight
icon
How to build relationship with a customs broker: Step-by-step instructions from a customs official
10-03-2024

Finding the right customs broker can be a huge problem for traders. One may seem to be "your" person, but they may misunderstand you or not listen to you. Another may not have the proper level of knowledge and so on. This article is designed to help you with this search and selection process. You will find answers to the most important questions to ask when looking for a helpful broker.

Rizwan Mahmood

customs brokers
Country update
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The future of customs intermediaries in the UK - overview
28-01-2024

Recognising the critical role that customs intermediaries play in enabling international trade for UK businesses, the government issued a consultation that sought feedback on the concept of introducing a voluntary standard. The final phase of the consultation process concluded in August 2023. A significant consensus emerged among stakeholders on the idea of introducing a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries.

Ilona Kawka

customs brokers
Country update
icon
The future of customs intermediaries in the UK - overview
28-01-2024

Recognising the critical role that customs intermediaries play in enabling international trade for UK businesses, the government issued a consultation that sought feedback on the concept of introducing a voluntary standard. The final phase of the consultation process concluded in August 2023. A significant consensus emerged among stakeholders on the idea of introducing a voluntary standard for customs intermediaries.

Ilona Kawka

customs brokers
Explainer
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Customs brokers in Europe: Shaping and establishing a future-proof role
28-01-2024

Case law tells us how importing and exporting SMEs, which do not have in-house customs expertise, understand their role and responsibilities, as well as those of a customs broker. Often, when a dispute arises with customs over penalties imposed on an importer or exporter for an offence, the company claims that it was confident that it had properly fulfilled its obligations by entrusting customs clearance to a professional service provider - the customs broker. The company therefore learns the hard way about its customs-related responsibilities and obligations. What role does the customs broker play in preventing such situations? In this article, we argue that customs brokers need to take on the role of proactive educator and suggest a way to do this.

Enrika Naujokė

customs brokers
Explainer
icon
Customs brokers in Europe: Shaping and establishing a future-proof role
28-01-2024

Case law tells us how importing and exporting SMEs, which do not have in-house customs expertise, understand their role and responsibilities, as well as those of a customs broker. Often, when a dispute arises with customs over penalties imposed on an importer or exporter for an offence, the company claims that it was confident that it had properly fulfilled its obligations by entrusting customs clearance to a professional service provider - the customs broker. The company therefore learns the hard way about its customs-related responsibilities and obligations. What role does the customs broker play in preventing such situations? In this article, we argue that customs brokers need to take on the role of proactive educator and suggest a way to do this.

Enrika Naujokė

customs brokers
Perspective
icon
Customs brokers and their management: current challenges and the future
14-01-2024

Customs brokers are an important part of the customs ecosystem. Both parties - traders and customs - can benefit greatly from working with these professional intermediaries. Customs brokers take on the complex tasks related to customs clearance, protect and serve the interests of the parties involved while balancing their different needs (e.g. fast delivery vs. thorough control) and save them a lot of time so they can focus on their core activities. This topic is not new, and one might think that these areas of operation should already be established and standardised. However, discussions at the 19th Authors' Meeting showed that there are still more questions than answers in the countries of Europe and America.

customs brokers
Perspective
icon
Customs brokers and their management: current challenges and the future
14-01-2024

Customs brokers are an important part of the customs ecosystem. Both parties - traders and customs - can benefit greatly from working with these professional intermediaries. Customs brokers take on the complex tasks related to customs clearance, protect and serve the interests of the parties involved while balancing their different needs (e.g. fast delivery vs. thorough control) and save them a lot of time so they can focus on their core activities. This topic is not new, and one might think that these areas of operation should already be established and standardised. However, discussions at the 19th Authors' Meeting showed that there are still more questions than answers in the countries of Europe and America.

customs brokers
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