Like in all stakeholder relations, Customs should ideally have a regular constructive engagement with brokers, as often brokers are the first line of interface between Customs and traders. Beyond the preparation of documents, manual/electronic submissions, the calculation and often payment of duties and taxes, they can play an active role in facilitating communication between Customs/ government authorities and importers/exporters.
There are several areas where a good relationship with Customs brokers and/or brokers associations can be of benefit for Customs administrations. Brokers may be consulted regarding support of Customs modernization and trade facilitation initiatives in line with international instruments
Customs could leverage the role of brokers as a communicator and force multiplier to improve compliance. Likewise, they are potential partners in curbing illicit trade including counterfeited/ pirated goods, as well as in ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements of other government agencies.
Thought could also be given to the role of brokers in enhancing the quality of data submitted to Customs. One may argue that usually the trader has better knowledge of, and clearer responsibility for, the accuracy of the information set out in the declaration or other submission to Customs than the broker. However, brokers can encourage their customers to improve data quality in terms ofaccuracy and adequacy. With further integration and the usage of electronic data transfer, Customs will have a more effective system of collecting data while providing Customs brokers with a streamlined tool for inputting the necessary information, thereby improving data quality.
(Source: World Customs Organization. WCO Study Report on
Customs Brokers - June, 2016. Retrieved on 9 September 2018 from <http://www.wcoomd.org>. Adapted.)
In each of the options bellow there is a word or expression underlined in the text and a suggestion for its replacement. Choose the option in which the change suggested keeps the meaning and the grammatical correctness of the text:
