CB1u—Intro to U.S. Customs Brokerage: Part 1, The Players, Functions and Business of a Customs Broker

Subscriber price: $194.00, Non-subscriber price: $255.00
Estimated total study time: 14 hours 15 minutes [Enroll now]

This the first of the nine-part series of introductory courses in the practical work of U.S. customs brokerage work groups. Each is designed to help "jump start" a new trainee or facilitate the transition of a person with related experience, such as freight forwarding, to the tasks performed by brokers.

This training is about what customs brokers actually do—their operational functions and the business of customs brokerage. It serves as a foundation for a wide range of subsequent, more in-depth training based on particular job assignment.

If you are new to the business of customs brokerage or acting as an importer, these courses will accelerate your understanding of responsibilities, regulatory environment and operational work flow of importing goods into the U.S. For those of you who already have some experience, these courses will fill in gaps in your operational knowledge, as well as add "big picture" understanding of import requirements.

Note: Although the operational particulars in which customs brokerage takes place varies with the transportation mode, these initial courses are applicable to all operational environments.

Introduction to the CBP; Overview of the U.S. Import Process

This lesson looks back to the beginning of U.S. customs brokerage with a look at the history, current mission and organization of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. We also introduce the U.S. import process with an overview of key players and additional parties that are sometimes involved.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 28 minutes)

Introduction to Importers and Customs Brokers

In this lesson we consider why foreign goods are imported, and by whom, and begin our examination of services provided by a customs broker.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 15 minutes)

"Admissible" and Prohibited Imports

In this lesson we begin examining restrictions on what may be imported into the U.S.

(Estimated study time: 49 minutes)

U.S. Imports Subject to Processing by U.S. Agencies in Addition to CBP

This lesson addresses U.S. import restrictions and other U.S. Government agency processing requirements that affect some types of goods at the time of customs entry.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 32 minutes)

The Relationship Between Importers and Customs Brokers

This lesson begins our coverage of services which customs brokers provide by addressing the relationship between the broker and his customer, the importer, with respect to "customs business" vs. other types of services.

(Estimated study time: 35 minutes)

Broker "Customs Business" Type Services and Fees (Typical)

This lesson introduces the range of "customs business" type services a broker provides as reflected in fees and charges made to the importer.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 11 minutes)

The Customs Broker's Involvement in the Cargo Transportation Process

In this lesson we address transportation-related responsibilities and services a broker must provide to assure timely customs clearance and delivery/on-carriage of the goods once cleared.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 1 minute)

Advancing Funds on Behalf of the Importer; Credit Controls

A customs broker often becomes involved in advancing funds to pay incoming freight charges, and perhaps customs duty and delivery charges. This lesson addresses why this is done, and controls a broker should exercise to avoid potentially serious financial loss.

(Estimated study time: 54 minutes)

Customs Brokerage—Part of Supply Chain Logistics

This lesson addresses the function of a customs broker in the larger context of supply chain management, together with what a customs broker can do to strengthen this role by providing additional logistical services.

(Estimated study time: 47 minutes)

Services Beyond Traditional Customs Brokerage

Today most companies that provide customs brokerage also are engaged in freight forwarding and other types of logistics services. This lesson addresses the relationships within an organization between these different types of business activities.

(Estimated study time: 54 minutes)

The Customs Broker-Importer Relationship; Client Satisfaction & Communication

This lesson covers the operational relationship that a customs broker must develop and maintain with his client, the importer.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 6 minutes)

Irate Customers & Other Communication Concerns

This lesson address the basics of dealing with irate and abusive customers and others on the telephone, identifying what can be done during telephone calls to please vs. displease customers. Properly handling complaint calls, especially when the customer or other party is irate and accusing or attacking is a challenge. This lesson is intended to help prepare brokerage staff to respond constructively to these calls.

(Estimated study time: 46 minutes)

Confidentiality of Importer's Information; Broker Relationships with the CBP and Other U.S. Agencies

In this lesson, we address how a broker's staff should interact with CBP and other government agencies and explain key differences between brokers' relationships with government entities and other business relationships, including the conflict between a broker's obligation to maintain importers' information in confidence and a broker's obligation to maintain records and provide them to CBP upon request.

(Estimated study time: 57 minutes)

A Customs Broker's Relationships with Transportation Carriers & Other Service Providers

This lesson addresses the operational relationships a broker must pursue with carriers and other service providers on behalf of its client importers.

(Estimated study time: 59 minutes)