Republic Act No. 9280: Customs Brokers Act of 2004

Decisions of the Board, except for temporary rulings, are only reviewable by an appeal.

A candidate for the Board must be a citizen and resident of the Philippines.

A candidate must be of good moral character and not have a criminal record involving moral turpitude.

A candidate must be a member in good standing of the accredited professional organization of customs brokers.

A candidate must have a Bachelor's Degree in Customs Administration or a Master's Degree in Custom Administration, or have been a registered and licensed customs broker before the act was passed.

A candidate must be a registered and licensed customs broker with at least 10 years of experience prior to appointment.

A candidate cannot be a faculty member or have a financial interest in a school offering customs administration courses.

A candidate cannot be an officer of the accredited national organization of customs brokers.

The Board may adjust the curriculum in response to industry changes, adding or removing subjects as needed.

A candidate must prove they have a good moral character and have not been convicted of serious crimes.

An aspiring customs broker needs to pass the exam with an overall average of at least 75% and no score below 60% in any individual subject.

The Board releases the results of the exam within 10 days from the last day of testing.

Applicants who pass the exam receive a Certification of Registration after paying the required fees, allowing them to practice as Customs Brokers in any district within the Philippines.

The Certificate of Registration is valid unless it is revoked or suspended for violating the act.

A document issued to a registered customs broker that proves their qualification and allows them to practice.

The process of applying for and receiving a license to work as a customs broker.

A professional customs broker can have their license revoked for breaking ethical rules or engaging in wrongdoing.

A professional customs broker who has had their license revoked may get it back after a waiting period.

A temporary license granted to a customs broker for a specific period or purpose.

The Board of Customs Brokers can refuse to issue a license if a candidate has committed a crime or engaged in unethical behavior.

A formal list of all registered professional customs brokers in the country.

A special permit issued to a customs broker for a specific purpose or task.

The President of the Philippines can suspend or remove the chairman or any member of the Board of Customs Brokers after an administrative investigation based on certain grounds such as neglect of duty, abuse of power, incompetence, unethical conduct, or a criminal conviction.

The Commission oversees the Board of Customs Brokers, manages their records, and provides administrative support for the Board.

The Board is required to provide an annual report to the Commission detailing its activities and accomplishments, and suggesting improvements to the customs broker profession.

To practice as a customs broker in the Philippines, individuals must pass a licensing exam covering various topics related to customs laws, international trade, and related fields.

The scope of the licensure examination for customs brokers includes the following:

Customs laws and their implementing rules and regulations are part of the licensure exam for customs brokers.

Tariff laws and international trade agreements are part of the licensure exam for customs brokers.

The licensure exam for customs brokers includes topics related to transportation and logistics.

A document that proves someone is a licensed and registered customs broker in the Philippines.

A permit that lets foreign customs brokers work temporarily in the Philippines to address a shortage of local customs brokers.

A document that allows a person to legally practice as a customs broker. It's granted after passing the licensure exam.

The oath a successful customs broker candidate has to take before practicing customs brokerage in the Philippines.

The sole national organization for professional customs brokers in the Philippines. It's recognized by the Board.

Customs brokers are not allowed to give money to importers to cover things like duties, taxes, and port fees.

Any single act or transaction related to entering goods into the Philippines counts as practicing as a customs broker.

Only a licensed customs broker, under oath, can sign import and export declaration documents.

Any violation of the Customs Broker Act and its implementing rules, including the Code of Ethics, carries a penalty of a fine of PHP 50,000 - 500,000, imprisonment of 6 years, or both.

A professional customs broker, registered with the Board, automatically becomes a member of the accredited professional organization. This doesn't prevent them from joining other customs broker associations.

The Board, with the Commission's approval and coordination with the accredited professional organization, sets rules and regulations for the customs broker profession, including the Code of Ethics.

All existing customs brokers, registered and licensed before the Customs Broker Act takes effect, are automatically registered under the new law.

The Board adopts and publishes a Code of Ethics and Technical Standards for the customs broker profession, which is developed by the accredited professional organization.

The Chairperson of the Professional Regulation Commission is responsible for incorporating the implementation of the Customs Broker Act into the Commission's program and securing funding in the annual General Appropriation Act.

If any part of the Customs Broker Act is declared invalid, it won't affect the rest of the law.

The existing Board of Customs Brokers will continue its duties until a new Board is formed under the Customs Broker Act.