The main job of a customs broker is to clear shipments of imported goods, prepare the necessary documentation for export shipments and collect taxes & duties. Many importers rely on customs brokers to pull that information together and clear the goods through customs, customs brokers are now training importers to upgrade their knowledge of transforming data into vital business data. Customs brokers are offering a growing range of specialized services to help importers develop new product lines, explore new markets, evaluate the impact of global change, and cut costs.

Although, there is no legal requirement for you to hire a customs broker to clear your goods and shipments. However, many Exporters and importers opt to do so for convenience. To engage in the customs brokers business, business owners must have a broker license. This means that they have to get at least one individually licensed officer, associate or partner. Not to get into the hassle of exams, costs and other difficulties to get a license, you can grant your customs broker the authority to act on your behalf.

To register for the Customs Brokers Professional Examination, first complete an Application for Customs Brokers Examination (Form L55) online and print it.

Your completed application package must include:

• the completed form
• a cheque for $200.00 payable to the Receiver General for Canada
• at least 1 document to support your identity

Supporting identification (ID) documents must:

• include your:
  • name
  • date of birth
  • photo
• be:
  • valid (not expired)
  • issued by Canadian federal, provincial/territorial governments or equivalent abroad

You may send more than 1 valid piece of ID if you don't have a single document with all of the information listed above.

Examples:

• military ID
• driver's license issued by a province or territory or the equivalent abroad
• non-driver's license issued by a province or territory
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Canadian passport (current or expired within the last 6 months)
• foreign passport that meets the requirements
• ID card issued by the federal, provincial or territorial government
• employee identification issued by the federal, provincial or territorial government
• valid permanent resident card or a permanent resident card expired for less than 6 months
• NEXUS card

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There are many different factors to consider, including goods, time of the year. The total costs are probably different in Kariba, Mashonaland West than they are in Kadoma, Mashonaland West. in a diff

An application for a licence must be made in the prescribed form and be submitted to the chief officer of customs for the area in which the applicant proposes to transact business as a customs broker.

• SOR/2002-149, s. 2

• 8 (1) On receipt of an application for a licence and before a licence is issued, the chief officer of customs to whom the application is made shall display, for a period of two weeks in the customs office managed by him, a public notice of the application, setting out

1. (a) where the applicant is an individual, the applicant’s full name and address and the business name to be used;
2. (b) where the applicant is a partnership composed of individuals,
   • (i) the full name and address of each partner,
   • (ii) the name of each partner who meets the knowledge requirement determined in accordance with section 4, and
   • (iii) the business name to be used;
3. (c) where the applicant is a partnership composed of corporations
   • (i) the legal name of each partner,
   • (ii) the head office address of each partner,
   • (iii) the name and address of each officer and director of each partner,
   • (iv) the names of the officers of each partner who meet the knowledge requirement determined in accordance with section 4, and
   • (v) the business name to be used; and
4. (d) where the applicant is a corporation,
   • (i) the legal name of the corporation,
   • (ii) the head office address of the corporation,
   • (iii) the name and address of each officer or director,
   • (iv) the name of each officer who meets the knowledge requirement determined in accordance with section 4, and
   • (v) the business name to be used if other than the legal name of the corporation.
5. (e) [Repealed, SOR/2002-149, s. 3]
6. (f) and (g) [Repealed, SOR/2006-151, s. 3]

• (2) The notice referred to in subsection (1) shall invite written comments or information from the public regarding the application.

• SOR/2002-149, s. 3
• SOR/2006-151, s. 3

9 [Repealed, SOR/2002-149, s. 4]

• You need to hire a customs broker in Arraywhen you need help on the following items:
• Commercial importers/exporters
• Learn more about the risks associated with importing/exporting commercial goods?
• Lower the risk of import and export
• Assessing my business needs

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• Prepare and process import/export documents and other forms on behalf of clients according to customs regulations, laws and procedures
• Sign import/export documents on behalf of client, using power of attorney
• Arrange for payment of duties, taxes, storage and transportation of imported goods and bonds to cover duty goods
• Quote duty and tax rates on commodities for clients
• Provide advice to clients on export and import restrictions, tariff systems, letters of credit, insurance requirements and other custom related matters

• International Federation of Customs Brokers Association
• Support team live for 24/7/365
• Related experience in  shipping company & scheduling experience.
• Provide the client with a regular report that details my import and export history

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• It will be easier for business owners to authorize a Licensed Customs Broker to act as the agent to transact business. It is ultimately the business owner’s responsibility for the accounting documentation, payment of duties and taxes, and subsequent corrections such as re-determination of classification, origin and valuation even if you use the services of a broker.

  The CBSA licenses customs brokers to carry out customs-related responsibilities on your behalf to clear goods across the Canadian border. A broker's service typically includes:

  • Obtaining the release of the imported goods;
  • Paying any duties that may apply;
  • Obtaining, preparing and presenting or transmitting the necessary documents or data;
  • Maintaining records; and
  • Responding to any CBSA concerns after payment.

• Consult the CBSA's licensed customs broker list should you wish to use the services of a broker.

You need to have a customs broker on the side of the border you are sending freight to. If you are in Canada and exporting to Zimbabwe , you need a Zimbabwe customs broker. If you are in Zimbabwe and exporting to Canada, you need a Canadian customs broker.

Goods imported for personal use are not intended for sale or for any commercial, industrial, occupational, institutional or similar use.

All items brought into Canada must be properly declared.

This will allow border services officers to determine what duties and/or taxes you must pay on the goods.

As a consumer, you should not assume that an online purchase from a retailer with a web address ending in “.ca” means that the goods are located within Canada. Purchases from online retailers may require the vendor to ship the goods from another country in which case, the item may be subject to duties and/or taxes as well as administrative fees (fees assessed by a company who may handle the Customs declaration on your behalf). Please note, consumers are not required to utilize the services of a third party, such as a Customs Broker, and may choose to ‘self-assess’ any applicable duties and/or taxes owing at a CBSA office that offers these services to the public.

Find an experienced, frequent importer with over 1000 shipments per year and annual imports valued at more than $1M.

Customs brokers are licensed by the Canada Border Services Agency.  As such an importer must grant a customs broker authority to act on his behalf.

Because customs brokers leverage electronic communications both with clients and with Canada Border Services Agency and other government agencies that control the importation and exportation of goods, your customs broker does not need to have an actual office at the port of entry through which  your goods enter or exit Canada.

1.  Does your firm have a specific area of expertise? How do you provide this information to prospective clients?  Can you provide references from current clients with the same or similar imports to mine?
2. Do you have experience with, and current knowledge of, the goods that will be imported by my business? What do you require from me to begin development of my database records? How do you let your clients know about regulatory changes that affect their goods?
3. How will we work together to develop a compliance plan to clarify our responsibilities and minimize our exposure to administrative monetary penalties (AMPS)?  And how will we work together to ensure CBSA receives the electronic pre-arrival cargo information needed to meet eManifest requirements, including the electronic transmission of advance importer data?  Do you offer trade compliance seminars or webinars for clients?
4. Will a single person be assigned to my account?  Can I reach a live person 24/7/365?
5. Are you a member of the Canadian Society of Customs Brokers? How many Certified Customs Specialists and Certified Trade Compliance Specialists do you have on staff? Will one of these individuals be handling my shipments?
6. Do you provide the all the services that I will need to import or export my goods?  Can you also handle my customs clearance into the US? Are you affiliated with any foreign customs brokers? Carriers? Freight Forwarders?
7. Can you provide me with a regular report that details my import and export history?
8. What differentiates you from your competitors?

Yes, as long as you have all the documentation and status of the cargo, you can decide who takes care of your import export. Also, it is possible to have more than one customs brokers and work with them, however, there should be convincing reason behind it, as all international customs brokers are certified to take care of all aspect of the project, using two or more customs brokers or brokerages, increases the risk of inconsistent Customs declarations, cost, hourly work and results in more work. Instead of spending time with 2 or more customs brokers in Beitbridge, spend the time to find the right customs broker at the first place!.

In Beitbridge, a lot of couriers also provide customs brokerage services. Courier transport can be fast and efficient, but they are not the best when you have some challenges with cargo.

FedEx international shipping services automatically default to broker-inclusive, meaning that FedEx serves as the shipment’s customs broker. There are some cases that you need to confirm, the best way is to contact their support.
Find out more about Fedex services on their website: https://www.fedex.com/

DAP (Delivered At Point) differs from DDP in that under DAP, the buyer is responsible for customs clearance, duties, and taxes. Whereas, under DPP, it is the seller’s obligation to clear the goods and pay for the import duties and taxes. If you can handle all the documents for taxes and duties, there is no need for customs brokers in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe, however, keep in mind, professional customs brokers and save time and money for you in a long run.

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