The role of customs brokers in facilitating international trade

This article describes changes to the customs broker profession in the European Union (EU) and particularly in Poland as a result of proposed legal reforms. It suggests that customs brokers should have expertise not only in customs-related matters but also in facilitating international trade, supply chains, financing and financial operations, security matters and compliance. The author indicates that, by now, customs brokers should have realised the potential of the legal reforms enabling Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status to overcome the barriers to providing customs services in other EU Member States. In this regard, the article addresses the challenges to be faced in relation to mutual recognition of qualifications needed to practise as a customs broker in the EU Member States.

This has been excerpted from an article by Ewa Gwardzinska in the World Customs Journal and is available in its entirety at:
https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/5a2b4c3c-f650-45c0-aa43-1afb025ac024