AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9280, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE "CUSTOMS BROKERS ACT OF 2004

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of Republic Act No. 9853 Amending Republic Act No. 9280 (Customs Brokers Act of 2004)

Amendments to Section 27 (Acts Constituting the Practice of Customs Broker Profession):
- Any single act or transaction under Section 6 constitutes an act of engaging in the customs broker profession.
- Import entry must be signed by a customs broker and the consignee/owner/importer under oath based on submitted documents. (Section 1)

Amendments to Section 29 (Admission to Professional Practice):
- The practice of customs brokerage is a professional service based on individual and personal qualifications.
- Corporations can be registered to engage in the customs brokerage business if they hire at least one customs broker.
- "Engaging in the business of customs brokerage" means making representations on behalf of importer-clients in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other government agencies.
- Corporations engaged in customs brokerage must have a minimum paid-up capital of One million pesos (Php1,000,000.00) before being accredited by the BOC. (Section 2)

Other Provisions:
- Repeals all laws, orders, rules, and regulations contrary to or inconsistent with this Act. (Section 3)
- Takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. (Section 4)