customs broker

Foreign Trade Association of Southern California Offers Annual U.S. Customs Broker Exam Preparatory Course in February for Upcoming April 1, 2006 Exam

Created to give persons advance preparation for the U.S. Customs Broker exams which are held only twice a year, the Foreign Trade Association of Southern California is offering its consecutive Saturday four week course beginning February 4, 2006 at the Hacienda Hotel, 525 N. Sepulveda Blvd, El Segundo, California from 9 AM to 4 PM each session.

This course is being taught by Erik D. Smithweiss, a trial attorney and senior litigator, who is a partner in the firm of Grunfeld, Desiderio, Lebowitz, Silverman & Klestadt LLP, one of the leading firms in the country in the field of customs, international trade law and related regulatory matters. He represents clients in all areas of customs procedures and administration, such as audits, investigations and penalty cases, and antidumping and safeguard remedies.

The course provides detail preparation and training in areas such as entry requirements, methods of clearance, valuation of imports, harmonized code classification, duty free exemptions, use of Foreign Trade Zones and bonded warehouses, and regulatory requirements as well as helping develop skills for career advancement.

Each student must obtain a copy of the most recent edition of Title 19 of The Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1-140 and 141-199, and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), which is not included in the price of registration.

Students who enroll prior to January 31st, the fees will be $535 for FTA members and $635 for non-members. After January 31st, fees for the class will be $575 for FTA members and $675 for non-members.

Persons taking the exam must be U.S. citizens, have broker industry experience, and register with the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection thirty days prior to the exam date.

Seating is limited for this highly popular course and once the class is filled, registrants will be placed on a waiting list.

For further information and an application, please contact Anita Saunders at 323 - 730 - 1011 or send an email to info@ftasc.org.

Contact FTA Publicist Patti Hirahara (714) 535-6119