BLINN HOSTING ONLINE CUSTOMS SPECIALIST ROUNDTABLE APRIL 10
The Blinn College District is providing prospective students the opportunity to speak directly with industry representatives regarding the roles of customs specialists in the international trade industry.
The roundtable discussion will be held Wednesday, April 10, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. To register, visit www.blinn.edu/workforce/live-zoom-event.html.
In 2023, Blinn partnered with the National Custom Brokers & Forwarders Association of America and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cross-Border Threat Screening and Supply-Chain Defense to place students on the path to high-wage, high-demand careers as custom brokers.
“The April 10 roundtable is for current or prospective students, or anybody from the industry,” said Cody Stelter, Assistant Dean of Applied Technology, Workforce and Economic Development. “We’re providing networking time to visit with industry representatives about this growing field.”
Students can earn their customs specialist certification through a one-semester, non-credit program that is completely online. Students completing the program are qualified for careers as customs entry writers, the first professional step toward becoming a customs broker.
Customs entry writers review import and export documents, ensure that all customs invoices and shipment papers are present, and prepare paperwork for clearance. These professionals use specialized software to track inventory, apply for drawbacks and refunds, sign documents, organize customs rejections, answer client questions, complete clerical duties, and monitor the processing of goods going through customs. They may also plan shipment routes, check for hazardous qualifications, review transit time, security, and cost, and arrange a booking with carriers and customers.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, compliance officers such as customs brokers earn a median salary of $76,980.
More information is available at www.blinn.edu/customs-specialist.
(Story courtesy Blinn Information)