Customs Broker's Day: over 150 years making history!

On April 25, we celebrate Customs Broker Day, a centuries-old profession in Brazil that has a long history in the world, albeit under other names. On this special date, we could not fail to pay tribute to the professional responsible for clearing the borders of international trade!

To pay this tribute, we decided to learn a little about his history and importance in Brazil. Continue to celebrate Customs Broker Day with us!

Why is April 25 Customs Broker Day?

Many special dates are defined according to some notable event related to what is being remembered. In the case of Customs Broker Day, the milestone is the date itself. It was only on May 6, 2006, that the profession, which had already completed more than a century of history, had its celebration date made official by means of a resolution of the National Federation of Customs Brokers.

This does not mean that there was no day to honor the professional responsible for the activities that we now recognize as customs brokers.

The fact is that over the years the profession has had different names and characteristics.

We have explored a little of this trajectory in the history of this profession. Check it out below!

Villager, Salesman, Customs Broker: a journey through time

Sometimes we think that a profession has ceased to exist, but it has only changed its name. “Only” is a bit of an exaggeration. Of course, over time, whether they change their name or not, professions change, gain new resources and responsibilities, or cease to include some activity.

In short, the world changes and human activities, naturally, follow suit. There is nothing better to take a stroll through history than a timeline, right? So, let’s take a journey through the customs broker’s path to learn more about his past.

1550: When it all (officially) began

It is said that the role of customs broker began around 1550. At that time, the professional called “Aldeador”, as established by D. João III in 1554, checked the entry and exit of goods from ships.

The expression “customs clearance” emerged during this period, resulting from the practice of packing a large volume of products in nets, which later needed to be separated for transportation on ships.

1850: The Brazilian Commercial Code regulates the Clerk

The Clerk was a position regulated by the Brazilian Commercial Code, by Law No. 556, of June 25, 1850. The Clerk was formally authorized to act on behalf of his client, working with commercial activities, such as the clearance of goods and tax transactions.

1860: With the Regulation of Customs and Revenue Boards, the General Broker was created

In 1860, decree no. 2,647 of September 19 regulated the Customs and Revenue Boards, which were soon reformed by the Imperial Government and legally consolidated. With this, the office of general broker was established.

This professional, already very similar to what would become the customs broker, was only authorized to broker business for third parties, such as ship brokers, clerks in commercial houses and brokers of other types.

1920: The monopoly of the broker

In 1920, with Decree no. 4,057 of January 14, the categories of general broker and clerk were abolished, replaced by a single one: that of broker. In this context, the number of brokers was determined by inspectors from the Ministry of Finance.

1932: The turn of Customs Brokers

Decree No. 22,104 of November 17, 1932 was the first document that directly referred to the class of customs brokers. It established that only they could handle the clearance and other procedures related to foreign goods.

1942: Consolidation of the Customs Broker profession

Despite the reference to the customs broker profession in the decree of 1932, and the modifications made to this document on January 9, 1933 (decree No. 22,329), the recognition of the profession was consolidated as a class almost 10 years later on January 13, 1942 (Decree-Law No. 4,014).

2009: In addition to the customs broker's day, the regulation of the profession

As we mentioned, the customs broker's day was established in 2006. However, a significant event came later. Decree No. 6,759, of February 5, 2009, introduced in its art. 10 regulatory provisions for the exercise of the profession, among which is the qualification for the activity.

2011: Requirements for the exercise of the profession of Customs Broker and Assistant

The Normative Instruction of the Federal Revenue of Brazil No. 1,209 of November 7, 2011 reinforces the regulation of the class. It establishes the rules for the exercise of the profession of customs broker and also for the assistant of this professional.

Among other definitions, IN/RFB nº1.209 determines the qualification exam to prove the professional capacity of the assistant and the customs broker.

2007 and 2017 The history of the customs broker, and of the female customs broker too

It is no surprise that, with so many years of activity, an interesting profession, full of challenges, responsibilities and even adventures, is worthy of gaining a space dedicated to preserving its memory.

Two examples of situations in which the history of the customs broker becomes heritage are the Museums opened by SINDAERJ in 2007 and SDAS in 2017. The unions, respectively, in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, dedicated an exclusive space to gather documents, photographs and other objects related to the memory of the customs broker's profession.

At SDAS, they were able to identify the first woman to practice the profession at the Port of Santos: Esmeralda Pereira Penha, appointed by President Getúlio Vargas in 1938. Certainly a scandal at the time. And today, how many customs brokers do you know?

The importance of customs brokers inside and outside the backstage of foreign trade

Customs brokers are responsible for almost 100% of the country's export and import clearance operations. Despite this, the profession is little known to laymen, that is, people who do not work in foreign trade. Behind the scenes, they are relevant to procedures that impact people's lives and the country, such as the economy and activities in physical and online stores.

The work of customs brokers is essential for access to innovative technologies, among other products and equipment that would not be available if we limited ourselves to what is produced in Brazil. At the same time, they participate in the export processes of national goods, which move and add value to the national economy. Behind the scenes of international trade, customs brokers continue to be known for their ability to untangle the processes involved in the country's import and export, which today no longer refers to the networks that package goods: it concerns bureaucracy.

Customs Brokers' Day is essential to remind us how much this profession has evolved, has been part of history and continues to be of fundamental importance to foreign trade activities, continuing with its changes and developments. Congratulations to all customs brokers!!!