I am clueless about the role of a CHA and what that person’s role is in importing and exporting goods. Can anyone tell me whether I need to hire one to import or export goods?

A Custom’s House Agent, or CHA, is hired by a company to act on the company’s behalf in importing and/or exporting goods. This releases the company from having to tangle with the often stringent and complicated laws of importing and exporting.

The CHA is given legal authority to make decisions regarding the company’s goods that go through customs. Although a company is not required to hire a CHA, this person is helpful in dealing with the customs process.

If my company hired a CHA, what specific tasks would he or she perform for us? I just want to make sure all our bases would be covered.

I completely understand where you are coming from. A CHA would perform all the actions required to get your goods through customs. This includes:

1. Filling out and shipping a bill of entry.
2. Submitting supporting documents for the bill of entry.
3. Helping with the examination of goods.
4. Providing warehouse space for a company’s goods and removing those goods at the appropriate time.
5. Making a payment of duty on behalf of the company.

In regard to the last point, it is the company’s responsibility to provide the CHA with the money to pay the required duties. If these duties are not paid, the consequences rest with the company, not with the CHA.

I hope there is some legal process or certification for custom’s house agents. I would not be comfortable hiring someone to handle my goods without knowing he or she was certified.

I would feel the same exact way. Rest assured, though, that all custom’s house agents are licensed by the local Commissioner of Customs. CHA applicants undergo a two-step process for certification. The first is getting a temporary license available only to university grads who are employed and have sound finances.

The applicant must also have from one to three years experience in customs. The applicant must provide 150 customs documents they have filled out in a year and proof of the clearance of 1,500 packages a year.

After receiving a temporary license, an applicant has a year to take the test to gain his or her permanent license. Only an applicant who passes this test becomes a certified CHA. On the test, the applicant will answer questions about:

1. Preparation of bills of entry and shipping bills.
2. Tariff classification and rates of duty.
3. Conversion of currency.
4. Examination of goods at customs.
5. Arrival entry and clearance of vessels.
6. Prohibitions on imports and exports.
...and many more!