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CB2u—Intro to U.S. Customs Brokerage: Part 2, Customs Broker Transactions, Supervision and Work Flow

Subscriber price: $167.00, Non-subscriber price: $220.00
Estimated total study time: 12 hours 20 minutes

This the second of the nine-part series of introductory courses in the practical work of U.S. customs brokerage work groups, and should be taken after completion of Intro to U.S. Customs Brokerage, Part 1, for proper continuity (See the syllabus for Part 1 for more information).

This course delves deeper into operational aspects of customs brokerage, beginning with import carrier and importer responsibilities prior to arrival of a shipment to be imported. We next address starting a broker transaction and understanding the full range of possible customs entry procedures which may be used to meet a client's need. We conclude with how broker operations are typically organized and supervised, and the CBP requirement for "Responsible Supervision."

Note: The actual processing of a customs entry is covered in Part 9 of this introductory course series.

Pre-Importation Responsibilities of the Importer, Carrier, and Customs Broker

In this lesson we examine what must happen before a shipment arrives into the U.S. For example, the import carrier must provide advance shipment (manifest) information to CBP, and the importer (or an agent of the importer) must notify the FDA with shipment details before food that is imported into the U.S. arrives.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 11 minutes)

• Introduction
• Basic Rules Concerning All Cargo Entering U.S. Territory
• Carrier Pre-Arrival Cargo Reporting
  • Carrier Requirement for Pre-Arrival Cargo Reporting
  • Pre-Arrival Reporting Varies by Transportation Mode
• CBP Cargo Control and Entry of Importing Conveyances
• FDA Advance Reporting for Human and Animal Food
• Importer Security Filing (ISF) for Vessel

Starting a Customs Broker Transaction

This lesson addresses what triggers the beginning of a customs broker transaction, how to start a transaction in a broker's operational system, and the information and documents needed before starting work on the customs entry.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 22 minutes)

• Introduction
• Starting a Customs Broker Transaction
  • Notification to Broker of Arriving Shipment
  • Opening a Transaction File
  • Initial Determination of Transaction Requirements
    • Key Information & Document Requirements
      • Importer Information
      • Importer's Authorization to Act as Agent
      • Required Customs Entry Support Documents
      • Presentation of Required Entry Support Documents to CBP
    • Right to Make Entry and Carrier's Certificate

Understanding Options for Customs Entry

This lesson begins our coverage of what a customs broker must understand about types of customs entries, and their applicability based on the particulars of an import shipment.

(Estimated study time: 47 minutes)

• Introduction
• Customs Entry (Release) Procedures
• Determining the Type of Customs Entry to Prepare

The ABI System

CBP's Automated Broker Interface (ABI) is the means by which customs brokers and direct-filer importers do most of their business with CBP. It is important to understand the nature and capabilities of this system.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 21 minutes)

• Introduction
• Automated Broker Interface (ABI) and the "Single Window"
  • The Almost Universal U. S. Customs Entry System
    • History of the Customs Entry Process
    • Benefits of the Automated Broker Interface (ABI)
    • Future of ABI
  • ABI Functionality
  • ABI Filer Software
  • ABI Access to and Inter-Operability with Other CBP Systems
  • ABI Access to and Inter-Operability with Other Government Agency Systems
    • International Trade Data System and the Border Interagency Executive Council
    • Information Exchange Through the Partner Government Agency Interface

Customs Entry by "Formality" of Procedure

This lesson explains differences between types of customs entry by level of formality (formal, informal, or neither), and the factors that determine the level of formality.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 27 minutes)

• Introduction
• Types of Customs "Entries" (by Procedural Formality)
  • Formal Entry
  • Informal Entry Subject to Duty or I.R. Tax
  • Informal Entry, Duty and Tax Free
    • General — What Is an "Informal Entry"?
    • Paper Procedure, Unconditionally Duty Free Goods (CBP Form 7523)
    • Paper Procedure, U.S. Goods Returned (CBP Form 3311)
    • Unaccompanied Personal Effects/Household Goods (CBP Form 3299)
  • Transportation Entry
  • Administrative Release without "Entry"

Types of Customs Entries Based on Disposition of Goods; "Consumption Entries"

This lesson addresses types of customs entries and options to achieve various dispositions of the imported goods. We begin with an overview of all types of entry procedures, and then examine entry for consumption.

(Estimated study time: 36 minutes)

• Introduction
• Preview: Import Situations vs. Required Type of Entries
• Entry for Consumption

Entry of Goods for a Temporary or Conditional Time Period

Goods which are to be in the the U.S. only temporarily, or are imported for exhibition only, are often entered under special provisions to avoid the payment of duty or to simplify the import and re-export process. This lesson addresses these types of entries.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 3 minutes)

• Introduction
• Temporary Importations Under Carnet Procedures
  • General — What Is a Carnet?
  • ATA Carnet Operational Requirements
    • Initial Carnet Activation
    • U.S. Import Carnet Processing
    • U.S. Export Carnet Processing
  • Customs Broker Involvement with Importation under a Carnet
  • Re-Export of Goods Imported under a Carnet
• Temporary Importations under a Temporary Import Bond (TIB)
• Permanent Exhibition Entry

Additional Types of Customs Entry

In this lesson we continue our examination of customs entries in terms of the intended disposition of the goods, including foreign trade zone entries and transportation-in-bond.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 5 minutes)

• Introduction
• Entry into a Bonded Warehouse ("Warehouse Entry")
• Entry into a Foreign Trade Zone ("FTZ Entry")
  • What Is an FTZ?
  • FTZ vs. Customs Bonded Warehouse
• Transportation "In-Bond" (Transportation Entry)

In-Transit Cargo

In this lesson we address procedures for the movement of in-transit cargo under bond, responsibilities and concerns with such cargo and reasons a customs broker may become involved in arranging such shipments.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 1 minute)

• Introduction
• In-Transit Cargo
  • CBP In-Transit Procedures
  • Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder Involvement with In-Transit Cargo
    • General — In-Transit Cargo, What is Involved?
    • Food and Agricultural Products Shipments; FDA Prior Notice of In-transit Food Shipments
  • In-Transit Goods Subject to U.S. Import and Export Controls and Restrictions
  • Requirement for U.S. Export Declaration
  • In-Transit Cargo Summary

U.S. Customs Broker Responsibilities

This lesson addresses regulatory requirements which the CBP places on licensed customs brokers with respect to "responsible supervision" of operations and employees by individually licensed brokers.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 27 minutes)

• Introduction
• General — "Responsible Supervision" of Employees
• Becoming an Individually Licensed Customs Broker
• Company Level Customs Broker License
• National Level Responsible Supervision
• Responsible Supervision Functions and Relationships
• Reporting Office of Record and Points of Contact
• Employee Information Reporting
• Grant of Authority to Employee
• Revocation, Cancellation, Suspension and Penalties, Oh My!

Customs Broker Work Group Organization

This lesson covers ways that customs brokers organize and supervise their work groups, and the importance of each work group member understanding such organization, division of labor, work flow and their own responsibilities.

(Estimated study time: 1 hour 1 minute)

• Introduction
• Typical Customs Broker Work Group Organization
  • General — Form Follows Function
  • Integrated vs. Parallel Transaction Processing
  • Integrated Processing
    • What Is Integrated Processing?
    • Benefits of Integrated Processing
    • Limitations of Integrated Processing
  • Parallel Processing
    • What Is Parallel Processing?
    • Benefits of Parallel Processing
    • Limitations of Parallel Processing
  • Work Group Supervision