Customs Broker, a term that maybe is just a slight idea for people who are not familiar with the subject, is he or she probably someone who works in a customs office, is he or she perhaps someone who checks your luggage at the airport when you travel to another country?
However, all those who are immersed in the world of foreign trade operations should have a clear understanding of what a Customs Broker is, as well as their respective functions.
The Customs Broker must comply with a great variety of guidelines, characteristics, obligations, responsibilities, etc., determined mainly by the Mexican Customs Law, which are of great importance. At RML Beyond Borders, we simplify the content for you.
How can the term «Customs Broker» be defined?
According to the provisions of Article 159 of the Mexican Customs Law, the Customs Broker is the individual authorized by the Tax Administration Service (SAT, by its acronym in Spanish), through a patent, to promote on behalf of others the clearance of goods, in the different customs regimes provided at this Law.
Which means, he or she is someone to whom the Tax Administration Service granted a patent, because of his capabilities, to be able to properly promote the clearance of goods, through any of the six customs regimes.
How do I recognize the veracity of the Customs Broker?
It is very important to highlight this point to avoid falling into scams or charlatans.
The first point to consider is that the call for applications is not launched often, in fact, it is published in the Mexican Official Journal of the Federation at least every 5 years.
Once you know you are with the right person, do not think that it is a person who is completely ignorant of the subject, in fact, all Customs Brokers have passed a huge amount of guidelines to obtain the patent.
For example, they must have a professional degree or its equivalent in the terms of foreign trade or related to the law of the matter, and have experience in customs, greater than five years. In addition, they have to pass the knowledge test practiced by the customs authority and a psycho-technical test.
Likewise, in order to avoid any problem, it must be verified that the Customs Broker is registered in the federal taxpayers’ registry (RFC, by its acronym in Spanish) and has all his fiscal obligations up to date.
And do not have doubts, it is checked that he or she has not committed fraudulent crimes, or that he or she is not there by consanguinity lines with the administrator of the customs of ascription of the patent.
For greater certainty, the Customs Broker, must give to know to the customs in which he/she acts, the names of the employees or dependents authorized to assist him/her in the proceedings of all the acts of the office, as well as the names of the mandataries that represent him/her to promote and to process the office.
How can a Customs Broker help me?
This can be explained in simple words, both the Customs Broker and the Customs Agency, will oversee supporting you as a user, in the procedures and processes you need for the correct and efficient import and export of your goods.
If you need personal attention, do not worry, the Agent must maintain the main office of his or her business within the country, as well as give notice of opening and closing of his or her branches in terms of the Mexican Fiscal Code of the Federation.
Is it expensive to pay a Customs Broker?
The answer is no. Consider that, mainly, the Agent is paid by fees, not as such a fixed salary.
In addition, when importing or exporting goods you have an opportunity cost, what do you prefer? an inexperienced person that makes you lose your time, money, credibility, and even the products themselves, or highly trained personnel in foreign trade operations.
In RML Beyond Borders we take care of all your questions about this topic, remember that we are a fully qualified agency for your goods to be imported or exported in the best possible way.
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