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The Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. welcomes the Bureau of Customs’ prohibition on the use of “customs representatives” in identification cards of customs brokers and their representatives
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The order is intended to avoid confusion and misinterpretation with official employees of the bureau
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In turn, PCCBI requested BOC to use the legal term “customs broker” instead of “broker” when referring to licensed customs brokers in official correspondence and issuances of the bureau
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PCCBI also asked BOC to require credentials, such as the professional identification number and Certificate of Good Standing number, when customs brokers sign requisite documents such as goods declaration
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PCCBI said this requirement will not only erase the confusion but will also prevent the unauthorized practice and misuse of the customs broker profession
The Philippine Chamber of Customs Brokers, Inc. (PCCBI) welcomes the Bureau of Customs’ (BOC) prohibition on the use of the title “customs representatives” in identification cards of customs brokers and their representatives to avoid confusion and misinterpretation with official employees of the bureau.
In turn, PCCBI has also requested BOC to use the legal term “customs broker” instead of “broker” when referring to licensed customs brokers in official correspondence and issuances of the bureau.
In a letter to Customs commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno dated January 20, 2026, PCCBI said it “lauds and supports” Office of the Commissioner (OCOM) Memo No. 90-2025, which orders the use of “broker’s representative” or words of similar import instead of “customs representative.”
OCOM Memo No. 90-2025, issued last December, said it observed that the use by customs brokers and their representatives of the title “customs representative” in their IDs “have led to instances of confusion and erroneous interpretation that these individuals are, in plain and simple language, employees of and officially represent the Bureau of Customs.”
READ: BOC prohibits use of ‘customs representatives’ in brokers’ IDs
PCCBI noted that Section 28 of Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9280, or the Customs Brokers Act of 2004, also prohibits the unauthorized practices and misuse of the customs broker profession.
However, PCCBI pointed out, there are “unlicensed and unscrupulous individuals transacting at Customs and hiding the loose terms ‘brokers’.”
“They act and pretend to be real and full fledge customs brokers, and engage in fraudulent acts and irregularities in their transactions with the Bureau of Customs. This brings detriment to the reputation of our profession. The general perception is that there is no difference between us, customs brokers, and them that use the loose term ‘brokers’.”
“With your help, we want this corrected as well, Commissioner,” PCCBI said.
Thus, and to guide the transacting public, PCCBI requests BOC to issue a memorandum to discard the use of the loose term “brokers” and mandate the use of the legal term “customs brokers” in official correspondence and issuances of the bureau.
Similar to the legal, medical and other professions that require the lawyer’s, physician’s or the professional’s credentials (Roll No., MCLE Compliance No., PIC No., PTR No., etc.) below their names, PCCBI also requests BOC for a similar requirement when signing requisite documents such as, among others, goods declaration.
“This will not only erase the confusion but will also prevent the unauthorized practice and misuse of the customs broker profession inasmuch as it brings more prestige to our profession,” PCCBI noted.
The association suggests that aside from the name of the licensed customs broker, the five-digit professional identification number and the five-digit PCCBI Certificate of Good Standing number and date of its issuance should be required when signing requisite documents. — Roumina Pablo
