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Memorandum D1-8-3: Canada Border Services Agency Customs Brokers Professional Examination

ISSN 2369-2391

Ottawa,

This document is also available in PDF (123 KB)

Plain language summary

This memorandum contains information concerning the Customs Brokers Professional Examination, given pursuant to section 15 of the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations.

Target audience: Importers of commercial goods

Key content: How to apply for and take the Canada Border Services Agency’s Customs Brokers Professional Examination

Keywords: CARM, accounting, commercial goods, importer, payment, program

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Updates made to this D-memo

Updates to this memo are to advise of yearly increases to the fee for taking the Customs Brokers Professional Examination.

Guidelines

1. The Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations (Regulations) require any person intending to transact business as a customs broker to have sufficient knowledge of the laws and procedures relating to the importation and exportation of goods. This is accomplished by successfully completing the examination administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and then continuously updating the knowledge through ongoing prescribed business experience. For information on the criteria that the licensed customs brokers must meet, refer to Memorandum D1-8-1: Licensing of Customs Brokers.

Administration and Frequency of the Examination

2. The examination is offered in each region at least once a year.

3. A written notice is posted in all CBSA commercial offices and on the CBSA website at least sixty (60) days prior to the date of the examination.

4. Candidates are responsible for all expenses incurred while attending the examination. Candidates are required to show valid photo identification before the examination is administered.

Examination

5. The examination is intended for those individuals intending to apply for a customs broker licence as an individual or those intending to take the position of qualified officer on behalf of a partnership or corporation. A qualified officer is the individual who meets the requirements of section 3 of the Regulations governing residency, citizenship, age and character, and the knowledge and experience qualifications set out in section 4 of the Regulations, and who the licence-holder identifies as the qualified officer.

6. Applications for the examination are to be made in writing on Form L55, Application for Customs Brokers Examination. This form is to be submitted to the chief officer of CBSA at the nearest CBSA office at least thirty (30) days before the date of the examination. Applications received after this deadline will not be accepted.

7. The application must be accompanied by a non-refundable payment. Please refer to the: Customs Brokers Professional Examination website for the applicable fiscal year's fee.

8. The examination consists of one-three hour session. The questions are multiple-choice. The Appendix provides a list of suggested (but not limited to) areas of knowledge that will be tested. Candidates must attain an overall passing grade of 60 percent.

Results of the Examination

9. Results are emailed to each candidate within four weeks of the date of the examination.

10. By passing this examination, candidates will have demonstrated that they meet the knowledge requirement of section 4 of the Regulations. Successful completion of the examination alone does not mean that an individual can be considered a customs broker. The title “customs broker” is reserved for individuals, partnerships, or corporations who are authorized to transact business under the authority of a customs brokers licence issued by the CBSA. For detailed requirements, please refer to the Customs Brokers Licensing Regulations or to Memorandum D1-8-1: Licensing of Customs Brokers.

11. Individuals who have fulfilled the knowledge requirement of the Regulations through successful completion of the examination must work in the customs brokerage industry to maintain this qualification. The work may be as an individual licensed customs broker, as a partner, a director, the qualified officer or an employee of a licensed customs broker. If there is a break in service, the individual may no longer be eligible (see Memorandum D1-8-1: Licensing of Customs Brokers for details).

12. For more information, within Canada call the Border Information Service at 1-800-461-9999. From outside Canada call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long distance charges will apply. Agents are available Monday to Friday (08:00 – 16:00 local time/except holidays). TTY is also available within Canada: 1-866-335-3237.

Appendix

Suggested (but not limited to) Areas of Knowledge Tested Through the Canada Border Services Agency Customs Brokers Professional Examination

The examination tests individuals on their knowledge of the laws and procedures relating to the importation and exportation of goods, including:

References

The following D-memoranda references contain details of suggested (but not limited to) areas of knowledge tested, and are provided to assist individuals preparing for the examinations:

Current versions of the above D-memoranda and of the Customs Tariff can be found on the CBSA Web site at Canada Border Services Agency under “Publications and Forms.”

Current versions of the Customs Act, the Excise Act, the Excise Tax Act, and the Special Import Measures Act, can be found at the Department of Justice Laws Web site at Justice Laws Website.

The CBSA does not provide training courses or study guides for individuals preparing to write the Canada Border Services Agency Customs Brokers Professional Examination.

Applicable legislation

Related D memoranda

Memorandum D1-8-1: Licensing of Customs Brokers

Superseded D memorandum

Issuing office

Regulatory Trade Programs Division
Trade and Anti-dumping Programs Directorate
Commercial and Trade Branch

Contact us

For more information, please contact the Commercial Registration Unit at brokers_licensing-agrement_des_courtiers@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.

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