U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice reminding customs brokers that they must complete 20 hours of continuing education no later than Jan. 31, 2027. CBP is urging brokers not to wait for that deadline to certify CE credits or file their triennial status report.
Continuing Education Requirements
Under a June 2023 final rule CBP is requiring individual customs broker license holders to complete at least 36 CE credits per triennial period, which works out to an hour per month. However, because brokers were not able to begin completing qualified CE courses until Jan. 1, 2025, CBP is only requiring 20 credits for the triennial period ending Jan. 31, 2027. In addition, brokers who obtain their licenses in 2024, 2025, or 2026 do not need to obtain CE credits until the 2027-2030 triennial period.
Brokers can earn CE credits for a variety of accredited training or educational activities, whether in-person or online, including seminars, webinars, workshops, self-guided activities, port tours, trade days sponsored by local trade associations, conventions, and (subject to certain limitations and requirements) the preparation and presentation of subject matter as an instructor or speaker.
According to CBP, accredited training will have the CE logo visible, and accredited providers and eligible activities can be found here. Brokers must retain proof of CE completion (certificates, course codes, course names, dates, educators’ names, and/or transcripts) for at least three years for audit purposes. CBP states that a percentage of brokers will be chosen to show their records once each triennial reporting period has ended and that for the current period the audited brokers will be selected and notified after March 2027.
STR offers a package of 20 webinars that will enable brokers to meet the CE requirements. Click here to see a full list of live and on-demand webinars we offer.
Triennial Status Report Requirements
CBP states that individually-licensed brokers with an active license must certify completion of their CE credits when they file their TSR, which they will be able to do from Dec. 14, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2027 (although the CE credits themselves must be completed no later than Jan. 31, 2027). CBP warns that a broker’s failure to satisfy these requirements will result in the automatic revocation of its license.
Filing the TSR also requires brokers to pay the $100 triennial fee and provide CBP with current contact information. All filings must be submitted electronically here.
CBP notes that all brokers must file the TSR but only individual brokers with active licenses must complete CE credits.
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