On October 28, 2020, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published in the Federal Register an advance notice of proposed rulemaking [Docket No. USCBP-2020-0042] that CBP is considering the amendment of its regulations to mandate continuing education for licensed customs brokers in order to maintain a high standard of professionalism in the customs broker industry. CBP’s goal with the publication of the ANPRM is to gather information and data from the broker industry in order to analyze and identify information that would help CBP in considering whether, and if so what type of, mandatory requirements would be beneficial for the trade community and CBP. CBP believes that requiring customs brokers to take continuing education courses would enhance the credibility and value of a customs broker’s license and improve a broker’s skills, performance, and productivity. CBP also believes that this would increase client service and compliance with the customs laws, which would protect the revenue of the United States and the trade community.. CBP is seeking comments on a potential framework of continuing education requirements for licensed customs brokers in order to assess the current situation among members of the customs broker industry and analyze the potential impact of such a framework on customs brokers. However, mandating continuing education is just one approach to maintaining integrity and professionalism in the broker industry; CBP is open to considering other approaches provided by the public. Comments must be received on or before December 28, 2020.
