International Customs Broker Day is celebrated on November 27th of each year. The day commemorates the members of the Association of Professional Customs Agents (ASAPRA).
54 years ago, in 1969, this international private law, non-profit corporation was established in Viña del Mar (Republic of Chile), made up of the chambers, federations, associations and unions of agents, customs brokers and/or brokers of Latin America, Spain and Portugal.
Message from the President of ASAPRA
«This November 27th, a memorable date, we celebrate two significant events: the 54th anniversary of ASAPRA and the International Day of the Professional Customs Agent. Today, we gather full of pride and joy, with countless reasons to celebrate. Our profession, Professional Customs Agents, in some of our countries we are called Customs Agent, Customs Broker, Customs Brokers but we are always Professional Customs Agents.
The year we have lived has been extraordinary. In 2023, we have led the key conversations on international trade. From initiatives such as 'Customs transferring knowledge to new generations and increasing female inclusion. We have been pioneers in the development of integrated technological systems and have made significant investments in training and standardization, covering more than 20 countries. We have expanded our presence to new continents and strengthened alliances between the public and private sectors, demonstrating that, although borders divide, customs unite us by providing all foreign trade actors with the logistics and customs.
An achievement that fills us with pride is the creation, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization, of the first Code of Ethics for the private sector. A code that now governs our associated organizations and that was presented at the Regional Forum of the Private Sector, in conjunction with Comalep and the Meeting of Chiefs of Customs of the Americas and the Caribbean Region (AMS), in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
In June, we had the honour of being an observer at a historic event in Brussels during the vote that appointed the new Secretary General of the WCO and in November, we played an active role in the III International Conference on Rules of Origin of the WCO, held in Santiago, Chile.
Looking ahead, we know that we have a path of intense work ahead of us in 2024 and 2025, and we are already planning actions for 2026. To each Professional Customs Agent, I say with conviction: feel immense pride in your professional career.
Happy day to Professional Customs Agents.
"Because Customs is all of us and Asapra is all of us!"
Nelson Brens
President of ASAPRA
November 27th 2023
Aduana News is the first Argentine customs newspaper to launch its digital version. With 20 years of experience, its publications and initiatives aim to provide the most relevant knowledge on customs issues in order to contribute to safe trade in the region.
