GETTING TO KNOW THE CUSTOMS BROKER PROFESSION

Why Customs Administration exist?

Customs Administration is Government Service responsible for the application
and control of compliance with the set of measures in force to assure the
fulfillment of the laws and regulations that Customs is obligated to apply.
Customs Administration Exist to exercise customs control on the commercial
international exchange to asses and collect customs duties and taxes in the part
calculated at the State's border and to fight against smuggling activity and
counteracting customs fraud.

When is the Customs Administration started to be a vocation and a

profession?
It starts in March 30, 2004 under Republic Act 9280 an act regulating the
practice of customs broker profession in the Philippines, Creating for the purpose
of professional regulatory board for customs brokers, and appropriating funds.

How Customs Brokers exist? In the Philippines why they are

necessary? 
Customs Broker Profession involves services consisting of consultation,
preparation of customs requisite document for imports and exports, declaration
of customs duties and taxes, preparation signing, filing, lodging and processing
of import and export entries; representing importers and exporters before any
government agency and private entities in cases related to valuation and
classification of imported articles and rendering of other professional services in
matters relating to customs and tariff laws its procedures and practices. A
customs brokers and shall be considered in the practices of the profession if the
nature and character of his/her employment in private enterprises requires
professional knowledge in the field of customs and tariff administration. He/she
is also deemed in the practice of custom Broker profession if he/she teaches
customs and tariff administration subjects in any university, college or school
duly recognized by the government.

What are the qualifications to become the Customs Brokers in the

Philippines?
The qualifications to become the Customs Brokers in the Philippines is he or she
must be a citizen and resident of the Philippines ,he/she must have good moral
character and must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral
turpitude, a member in good standing of the accredited professional organization
of customs brokers, A graduate of Bachelor’s Degree in Customs Administration
or a holder of a Master of Degree in Custom Administration conferred by a
college or university duly recognized by the government, or registered and
licensed customs broker before the effectivity of this Act (R.A 9280), He/she
must registered and licensed customs broker with a valid of Certificate of
Registration and Professional Identification Card, with at leased ten (10) years of
experience prior to his appointment, The person should not be a member of the
faculty, whether full-time or part-time, of any school , college or university with a
regular and/or review course in customs administration is taught, nor shall have
any pecuniary interest in such institution; and not be an incumbent officer of the
accredited national organization of customs brokers.
Why competencies of a Customs Broker necessary in the Philippines?
In the process of importing and exporting, the shipment will have to come in
contact with the customs, a government agency that manages and regulates the
flow of goods in and out of any country you need a customs broker .A customs
broker is a licensed individual or firm that ushers all shipment, whether imported
or exported, through customs. It is the broker who represents the shipper when
it comes to any dealings with the customs authorities, and prepares
the necessary documents for the shipment. A customs broker also ensures that
every phase of the shipment is consistent with the set rules and regulations of
goods transfers. In the process of importing and exporting, the shipment will
have to come in contact with the customs, a government agency that manages
and regulates the flow of goods in and out of any country you need a customs
broker .A customs broker is a licensed individual or firm that ushers all shipment,
whether imported or exported, through customs. It is the broker who represents
the shipper when it comes to any dealings with the customs authorities, and
prepares the necessary documents for the shipment. A customs broker also
ensures that every phase of the shipment is consistent with the set rules and
regulations of goods transfers. Customs brokers also provide assistance when it
comes to the classification, valuation, and entry protocols of goods, while making
sure that all details and necessary procedures associated are ironed out.
Customs brokers also ensure correct information with regard to taxes and tariffs,
all in an effort to usher goods towards its destination in an efficient and timely
manner. The timely and efficient ushering of shipment is critical because any
form of delay in customs clearance will cost a significant amount of time and
money.