Customs broking must promote industry as a true `profession' 05 July 2007 | 01:21PM
Sir,
I read with great interest Sandy Galbraith's leader article in Lloyd's List DCN (June 21).
As a licensed customs broker for over 45 years, I think a few thoughts from an old hand may throw some light on this so called “profession”.
However, it is hardly known as such (a profession) because of a lack of promotion by the people who claim to represent the overall industry.
You only have to look at the accounting profession to see the impact of television promotion to the public at large.
Result: high public and corporate profile and high fees to go along with it.
The training of customs brokers should be directed at the current employees of customs brokers and, as Mr Galbraith suggests, maybe mimic the legal profession, whereby the students can understudy the professional broker and obtain their “articles of brokerage” before undertaking a broker's examination on the recommendation of the (mentor) broker.
As a broker who has had individual employees who have gone on to obtain their broker's licences, I feel it should be considered that there are distinct elements of risk in taking on the role of “mentor” to any individual, as this can – and does – hold implications that have been to the regret of many a broker.
Finally, the question of “broker responsibility to ratio of remuneration”: this is a question that very few people in this profession care to speculate on.
With brokers being seen as having to take virtually all responsibility in regards to the Australian Customs Service, the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service, the Australian Taxation Office, the importer client, etc, the profession overall has been loaded to the hilt with an “all responsibility and no care“ attitude from all levels of the bureaucracy and the logistics industry.
It therefore comes as no surprise that young people are not entering the profession or are choosing to move on to more lucrative employment; employment that holds some level of personal satisfaction and financial reward for their effort and responsibility, in sharp contrast to that offered by customs broking.
Geoff Adams,
Clock International Freight, Tullamarine, Victoria
