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About the CCS Certification Program

The NCBFAA Educational Institute's Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) Certification Program is designed to assist trade professionals involved in the import industry to become experts in the current import regulations. Whether you have a broker’s license or you have just a year or two of related experience, this course will provide you with a solid foundation for you to increase your industry knowledge. The CCS course will review fundamental points relevant to the importation process while delving into practical, relevant subject matter not generally tested on the formal Customs licensing exam. Each topic will help you grow and develop as an import professional. You will find that participating in the CCS program will provide you numerous venues for honing your professional skills while continuing to stay up with the rapidly changing marketplace within the import industry.

Ready to Enroll?

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The CCS Course is a six-month, self-paced, online offering consisting of 25 modules (each ending with a summary quiz), 4 checkpoint quizzes, and a cumulative, proctored final exam. Students are required to provide their own proctor. Virtual proctoring is not available for the CCS exam.
 

 

Eligibility

  • Have a minimum of one-year of practical experience in the U.S. conducting U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) business.
  • A Customs broker's license is not required to become a CCS
  • Be a current Canadian CCS Designate (not required).

 Cost

  • $715 for members
  • $1,375 for non-members

Benefits

  • Expand knowledge. Gain in-depth insight into every aspect of import logistics management. 
  • National professional recognition.  Peers, staff, customers, and volunteer leaders all value the CCS designation.

 

Key Topics 

The principal acts involved in the importation of goods, Customs Brokers licensing requirements and agency agreements, The U.S. Harmonized Tariff Classification System, Tariff treatments and trade agreements, Valuation and Classification, Informed Compliance, Assessment of Duties, Marking of Imported Goods, Drawback and refunds, Special Requirements, Antidumping and Countervailing Duties, Foreign Trade Zones, and Recordkeeping.

Who Should Enroll?

  • Individuals working in the import industry, interested in expanding their base knowledge.

Steps to Enroll 

If you are a Current or Returning Student 

You must have an NCBFAA Login ID and password to use NEI's online resources. Have you forgotten or need help setting up your password? Please click, here. 

If you are a NEW Student 

Please review our "Registration" page for more details by clicking, here.

Video instructions are on our Logistics-EI Tutorials page.

NEI Professional Membership

If you are employed by an NCBFAA member company, you will receive the member pricing for this course. If you are not employed by an NCBFAA member company, you may still sign up for our individual Professional Membership in order to receive member pricing on our educational offerings.


 

CCS Grandfathering Process

By uploading a copy of your Customs Brokers license, you are able to grandfather into our Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) Certification Program. You will be required to remit a registration fee of $125.00 prior to submitting your license*. Once you are approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to obtain your official certification document. Thereafter, you will need to earn 15 CCS continuing education credits each year to keep your designation active, along with paying a $95 annual renewal fee.

In 2015, the NEI implemented anniversary dates. This means that instead of needing to earn their credits before the end of a calendar year, CCS designees have one year from the date they are enrolled into the program to earn their credits.  
 
For instance, if you grandfather into the program on 7/1/2016, you have until 7/1/2017 to earn your credits.*
 

*If you work for an MOU company, you will be certified on a calendar year basis regardless of when you grandfather into the program. Please contact an NEI staff member if you're unsure whether your company has signed an MOU with us.

 

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Withdrawals & Cancellations

The NEI requires written notice of course withdrawals (email, fax or mail). Emails sent directly to the NEI Director at rbacon@ncbfaa.org are strongly preferred.

There is a $50 administrative fee if the NEI receives written notice of enrollment cancellation prior to the NEI providing the student with a username and password. A refund of the tuition fees, minus a $50 administrative fee will be issued. 

There is a $100 administrative fee if the NEI receives written notice of enrollment cancellation after a username and password has been provided. A refund of the tuition fees, minus a $100 administrative fee will be issued. Students may withdraw from the course at any time but no refund will be provided after the course has begun.

Questions?

Contact rbacon@ncbfaa.org