Customs Compliance Specialist

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Customs Compliance Specialist. The qualification shall enable a learner to manage, maintain and control customs compliance and other statutory requirements relating to international logistics and supply chain activities, within an organisation, and manage operational resources, management systems and risks associated with customs compliance. A qualified learner will be able to: • Develop and maintain customs compliance policies and procedures. • Manage customs compliance operational resources and management systems. • Promote customs compliance operations and manage and control risks. A qualified learner will demonstrate the following key attributes: problem solving, decision making, communication, professionalism, and ethical orientation.

The need for this qualification resulted from the requirement to review and align an existing expired qualification to meet new policy requirements. Additional changes were affected in terms of the occupational title, to better reflect the scope of coverage. The need to improve the functioning of practitioners in the customs compliance environment is necessitated by the World Customs Organisation's (WCO) introduction of the SAFE Framework of Standards. As a member of WCO South Africa must comply with the SAFE Framework of Standards by implementing new legislation which is aligned to these standards. An integral element of this legislation is the requirement that practitioners whose function is to interact with customs to ensure that statutory measures are complied with have the required competence to carry out these very complex functions. In light of this, the Customs Compliance Specialist qualification is required to provide those involved in ensuring that organisations directly involved in international trade have the required internal policies, procedures and resources to ensure efficient and effective functioning related to customs compliance. Currently there are no other similar qualifications for this specific specialisation area registered on the NQF. This qualification will benefit the logistics and supply chain sector and the economy as it is critical for the survival of the logistics industry by facilitating cost effective international trade. Customs Compliance Specialists play a pivotal role in promoting international trade, revenue generation, legal adherence, risk mitigation, and overall economic development. When businesses comply with customs regulations, they can access international markets more easily. Ensuring that trade is conducted fairly, transparently, and according to established rules help maintain positive relationships between trading partners and enhances diplomatic and economic ties between nations. This promotes healthy competition and contribute to a well-functioning global trading system that support economic growth and the economy. In addition, Customs Compliance Specialists contribute to ensuring the prevention of entry of counterfeit goods, hazardous materials, and other products that could pose health, safety, or security risks to the public, thus benefitting society. Learners for this qualification will be drawn from those who have had relevant experience in this field. The qualification represents a progression from the Freight Forwarding and Customs Compliance qualifications at NQF Level 5. It also provides an aspirational target for those entering the industry in the sense that, as a scarce and critical skill area, the acquisition thereof enhances the employability of the individual into the future by providing a career pathway. Those who acquire these specialised competencies addressed by the qualification will be in high demand in the industry. Learners will grow into a strategic management position within the freight forwarding and import and export organisations. Stakeholders from different associations and organisations operating within the freight forwarding and customs compliance environment participated in the review of the qualification. The typical occupations related to this qualification include all customs compliance related occupations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for Access to Training Learners may use the RPL process to gain access to training opportunities for a qualification if they do not meet the formal, minimum entry requirements for admission. RPL assessment provides an alternative access route into a qualification. Such an RPL assessment may be developed, moderated and conducted by the accredited Skills Development Provider which offers that specific qualification. Such an assessment must ensure that the learner is able to display the equivalent level of competencies required for access, based on the NQF level descriptors. RPL for Exemption For exemption from modules through RPL, learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a qualification through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. RPL for Access to the External Integrated Summative Assessment (EISA) or Final Integrated Supervised Assessment (FISA): Learners who have gained the stipulated competencies of the modules of a qualification through any means of formal, informal or non-formal learning and/or work experience, may be awarded credits towards relevant modules, and gaps identified for training, which is then concluded. A valid Statement of Results is required for admission to the EISA in which confirmation of achievement is provided that all internal assessment criteria for all modules in the related curriculum document have been achieved. Upon successful completion of the EISA, RPL learners will be issued with the QCTO certificate for the qualification. Quality Partners are responsible for ensuring the RPL mechanism and process for qualifications and part-qualification is approved by the QCTO. Entry Requirements: An NQF Level 5 qualification in Clearing and Forwarding or Freight Forwarding or Customs Compliance.

• Develop customs compliance strategies, structures, and processes to introduce change regarding practices.
• Adhere to legislative requirements for the customs compliance work environment, operational resources and systems.
• Manage and control customs compliance risks through evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
• Adhere to best practices for customs compliance operations, procedures of information gathering and validating the sources of information.