Change from Korea Customs Broker to Korea Certified Customs Attorney

In Korea, the person who has passed the certifying test and earned the right to provide the following services commissioned by clients is called 관세사(關稅士).

• Classification of Harmonized System codes and tariff rates, ascertainment of dutiable values and calculation of customs duties on imports or exports;
• Voluntary review and preparation of the report thereon under Article 38 (3) of the Customs Act;
• Declarations, etc. of exportation, importation or return of goods or transportation thereof to any foreign country or the Republic of Korea and implementation of the procedures related thereto under the Customs Act or other customs-related statutes;
• Applications for certification or confirmation to certify that goods to be exported or imported are permitted, approved or labeled or that other conditions are met, under Article 226 of the Customs Act;
• Raising objections and applying for review and trial on behalf of clients under the Customs Act;
• Counseling or advice on customs;
• Counseling or advice on declarations of exportation or importation under Articles 241 and 244 of the Customs Act;
• Requesting refunds on behalf of clients under the Customs Act and the Act on Special Cases concerning the Refund of Customs Duties Levied on Raw Materials for Export;
• Providing opinions on investigations, dispositions, etc. by customs houses for and on behalf of shippers;
• Declarations, reporting, applications, etc. and implementation of the procedures related thereto under the Customs Act, other than those prescribed in subparagraphs 3, 4 and 5 of this Article;
• Participating in investigations of origin and presenting opinions under Articles 17 and 20 of the Act on Special Cases of the Customs Act for the Implementation of Free Trade Agreements, on behalf of the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service or the head of a customs house.

 

According to 관세사법(關稅士法), legislation enacted to establish an institution for 관세사 to ensure the convenience of duty payers and the smooth operation of customs administration, thereby contributing to the growth of the national economy, a association shall be established to enhance dignity and capability of 관세사, to foster their professional ethics and to establish order for sound customs clearance and it is called 한국관세사회(韓國關稅士會).

 

관세사회 is operated according to its bylaw establishment and amendment of which requires the authorization from the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service.

 

Article 1 of the bylaw prescribes the English name of 한국관세사회, which had been Korea Customs Brokers Association (KCBA). That’s why we had called 관세사 a customs broker.

브로커 which is the pronunciation of "broker" written in Korean is a widely used word in Korea. The circumstances where it is used is usually negative like implying someone who exploits others for unjust enrichment. Besides, the services 관세사 provides for clients are not limited to customs brokerage. So, 한국관세사회 had tried to change its English name.

Article 1 of the bylaw was amended on April 12, 2022 and the English name of 한국관세사회 has been changed to Korea Certified Customs Attorneys Association (KRCAA). KRCAA is undergoing the name change process. Firstly, homepage address has been changed to “krcaa.or.kr”.

It would be more appropriate to call 관세사 a certified customs attorney now although “KOREA CUSTOMS BROKERS ASSOCIATION” is still seen in its homepage logo.

 

So, I’ve changed my blog name to “Korea Certified Customs Attorney SJ” from “Korea Customs Broker SJ”.