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U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces New Continuing Education Requirement for Customs Brokers
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has unveiled a new continuing education requirement for customs brokers. This initiative aims to enhance compliant trade practices and safeguard against illicit trade entering the U.S. commerce, considering the ever-increasing interconnectedness of the global trade environment.
Importance of Training Requirements
Troy A. Miller, Senior Official Performing the Duties of Commissioner, hails the introduction of new training requirements as a crucial and long-awaited step forward in improving trade enforcement. He emphasizes the evolving role of customs brokers in light of escalating global trade volumes and growing complexity in supply chains, necessitating their up-to-date knowledge on emerging priorities and regulations.
New Regulation Details
The new regulation, signed by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, mandates that individual customs brokers acquire 36 hours of continuing education every three years. This education will focus on evolving customs rules and relevant U.S. trade laws, ensuring that customs brokers maintain a valid license.
Enhanced Protection and Compliance
AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP’s Office of Trade, highlights the pivotal role played by customs brokers, who facilitate the movement of approximately 107,500 shipments valued at $9.2 billion into the United States every day. The new requirements aim to keep customs brokers well-informed on U.S. trade laws and regulations, providing an additional layer of protection against bad actors seeking to exploit increased trade and conceal illegal products that could harm consumers and the economy.
Upcoming Guidance and Course Offerings
CBP will release further guidance on continuing education requirements for the upcoming 2024-2027 triennial status period. Information regarding course offerings will be provided through CBP as well as partner U.S. government agencies at a later date. Custom brokers can obtain a variety of continuing education credits free of charge from CBP and partner agencies. However, training activities organized by entities other than CBP or partner U.S. government agencies will require approval from a CBP-selected accreditor.
Accessing Information and Staying Updated
CBP will publish information on the accreditation process in the near future on theCBP.gov customs brokers page. The agency will continue to communicate updates on the new requirements, including when brokers can start pursuing continuing education credits and the specific number of credits needed for the upcoming 2024-2027 triennial period.
For detailed information and additional resources on the new regulation, please visit the customs brokers page on the CBP website. The complete final rule can be found on the Federal Register website.
