International Importing & Exporting

Professional Certification: Customs Broker

Customs Broker Certification (100-Hour Comprehensive Program Affiliated with Gorgan Chamber of Commerce ) | Completed: February 2025

A customs broker is a licensed professional who facilitates the import/export of goods by ensuring compliance with complex customs regulations, tariff systems, and trade laws. Drawing from a rigorous 100-hour certification program, this training equips professionals with the expertise to manage cross-border logistics, minimize risks, and optimize duty payments. Below is a structured summary of responsibilities, technical skills, and requirements, synthesized from industry standards and regulatory frameworks.

Key Course Modules

Regulatory Compliance & Documentation

  • Ensure adherence to customs laws, trade agreements (e.g., USMCA, CPTPP), and import/export restrictions.
  • Prepare and submit critical documents: commercial invoices, bills of lading, certificates of origin, and Importer Security Filings (ISF).
  • Maintain auditable records for 5+ years, including transaction details and powers of attorney, as mandated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Tariff Classification & Valuation

  • Accurately classify goods using Harmonized System (HS) codes to determine duty rates and regulatory requirements.

  • Calculate customs value using methods like transaction value, deductive value, or computed value to avoid under/overpayment.

Duty & Tax Management

  • Optimize duty liabilities through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), duty drawback programs, and tariff engineering 95.
  • Coordinate payments of duties, taxes, and fees to CBP, ensuring timely compliance.

Risk Mitigation & Client Advisory

  • Conduct risk assessments to address delays, disputes, or non-compliance issues.
  • Advise clients on customs procedures, regulatory updates, and cost-saving strategies.

Logistics Coordination

  • Liaise with carriers, freight forwarders, and government agencies to expedite cargo clearance.
  • Manage post-entry amendments, cargo inspections, and security programs like C-TPAT.

Technical Expertise

Regulatory Tools: Mastery of CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), and trade compliance software.

Financial Acumen: Proficiency in duty calculations, tax optimization, and bond management.

Documentation Systems: Experience with electronic data interchange (EDI) and platforms like Carta Customs for record-keeping.

Industry-Specific Knowledge: Expertise in sectors like pharmaceuticals, textiles, or electronics, ensuring compliance with specialized regulations.

Program Impact

Skills: Expertise in reducing shipment delays, avoiding penalties (e.g., $10,000+ fines for ISF non-compliance), and streamlining supply chains.

Differentiators: Ability to balance cost efficiency with ethical compliance, particularly in high-risk industries.

Certification Achievement: Validates mastery of CBP regulations, positioning you for roles in brokerage firms, logistics companies, or corporate compliance teams.

 

Professional Certification: International Trade and Business Skills

Business Training Center (Affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade) | Completed: September 2023

Completed an intensive 80-hour program focused on global trade operations, customs compliance, and international business strategies, accredited by Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade. This certification equipped me with practical expertise to navigate cross-border trade regulations, financial workflows, and supply chain logistics. Below is a detailed overview of the curriculum and acquired competencies:

Key Course Modules

International Trade Fundamentals

  • Overview of global trade frameworks, H.S. Code classification, and compliance with Iran’s export-import regulations.
  • Registration of commercial orders, procurement of trade licenses, and legal documentation.

Incoterms 2020 & Logistics

  • Mastery of Incoterms rules for risk allocation, cost management, and international shipping.
  • Principles of freight logistics, including multimodal transportation and customs clearance processes.

Financial Transactions & Risk Management

  • International payment methods (Letters of Credit, documentary collections) and foreign exchange optimization.
  • Structuring and opening L/Cs, mitigating financial risks in cross-border transactions.

Export-Import Operations

  • End-to-end export/import workflows, customs documentation, and compliance with trade sanctions.
  • Drafting commercial contracts, international correspondence, and dispute resolution strategies.

Trade Compliance & Legal Frameworks

  • Customs procedures, tariff classifications, and adherence to international trade laws.
  • Best practices for managing trade barriers, embargoes, and regulatory audits.

Skills Demonstrated

Regulatory Expertise: Compliance with Iran’s Export-Import Regulations and global standards.

Documentation & Contracts: Drafting commercial agreements, bills of lading, and certificates of origin.

Financial Acumen: Managing international payments, currency hedging, and trade finance instruments.

Logistics Optimization: Coordinating supply chain workflows, cargo insurance, and customs brokerage.

Program Impact

  • Prepares professionals to lead export/import divisions, manage international partnerships, and optimize global supply chains.
  • Accredited by Iran’s Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade, ensuring alignment with national and international trade policies.

This certification complements my technical background in mechanical engineering and advanced business administration (DBA), positioning me to bridge operational logistics with strategic global trade initiatives.