A customs agent is a law enforcement office working on behalf of the government to carry out inspections on goods and people moving in and out of a country.
Below are steps to Become Customs agent South Africa
Steps to becoming a customs agent are simple, but there are some strict requirements to consider. Customs agents must be 21 years old, hold citizenship in the United States for at least three years and be able to pass physical and substance-use tests.
To fulfill other requirements of becoming a customs agent, follow these four steps:
Earn a degree or gain related experience
First, you can pursue a degree in criminal justice, psychology or security management. Many customs agents pursue a bachelor’s degree to gain law enforcement skills before meeting the requirement of being age 21, but you can also pursue an associate degree in a relevant field.
Foreign language courses could be very useful to aid in communication at borders.
Apply on South Africa Customs and Border Protection website
The next step is to apply to become a customs agent through the South Africa Customs and Border Protection’s website. By applying, you can become eligible to schedule the various exams that you can pass in order to qualify to work as a customs agent.
3. Pass entrance exams
To be considered for the role of a customs agent, a candidate must fulfill the requirements of being able to pass the following examinations:
Background check: This is a review of possible criminal history, martial status and a background check on spouses or ex-spouses.
Physical exam: A customs agent must meet certain physical requirements.
Vision test: Sight is important for doing your job well as a customs agent. This tests your vision and determines if you need corrective lenses.
Interview for an open position
Employers conduct a structured interview with applicants who have passed the customs agent examinations. A structured interview is a process where hiring managers ask all candidates the same set of questions. This helps find the best potential candidates and provides consistency in the hiring process.
How do I become a customs clearing agent?
Diploma in Customs Clearance work from any Institute or University recognized by the Government with a working knowledge of computers and customs procedures, or is a graduate having at least three years experience in transacting Custom House Agent work as a G-Card holder, or a person who has passed the examination .
How do I get an import license in South Africa?
About import permits
If you are planning to bring controlled goods, used or second-hand goods, waste or scrap into the country, you first need to register as an importer with the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and then apply to the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) for an import permit.
How much is customs clearance in South Africa?
A customs clearance fee of R50,10 is charged on all incoming parcels and R25,85 on all other postal items. This fee is charged by the Post Office to cover costs incurred in clearing the parcel/postal item on behalf of the addressee.
How much is customs clearance?
Most small agents will charge you around Rs. 4000-5000 for a small consignment clearing service, which is only their agency charges as for all the actual charges that have to be paid to the customs department will be in excess of about 5000 onwards.
How do I clear customs without a broker?
You can, however, submit your ISF yourself, without the assistance of a customs broker. In order to do this, you must first make sure you have an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal Account, which you can apply for on the CBP Website
How can I avoid paying customs fees?
Currently, you can send a parcel to any destination in the UK and throughout Europe without any additional customs charges or documentation being required. However, if you are sending a parcel outside of the European Union, such as to China, USA, India or Australia, you will need to complete customs documentation.
How can I speed up customs clearance?
The easiest way to get through customs quickly and efficiently is to become a Trusted Traveler. While U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a few different options, the gold standard is Global Entry, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States.