Import broker essential documents – Power of Attorney

This essential piece of documentation is required to demonstrate to Customs (under legal provisions) that authority is granted to act in your name and on your behalf.

A ‘Power of Attorney’ (POA) – also known as a ‘Letter of Empowerment’ – refers to the authorisation required to be given to the customs broker on behalf of the importer or exporter.

It is a standard piece of documentation that gives the forwarder/broker vital information needed to begin handling “customs business” on behalf of the client. A POA must be signed by an officer of the company making the shipment.

The POA should provide supporting documentation that they are authorised to act on the business’ behalf and that document should be fully recognised by the laws of the country in which the business is licensed.

The POA will remain in effect “UNTIL REVOKED”, which gives both the entity and their forwarder / broker the opportunity to revoke the POA at any time.

When an Importer or Exporter is asked to complete the POA, there are some key points of information that must be provided in entirety to allow the broker to act on their behalf:

• The Type of Entity that encompasses the client.
• Individual.
• Partnership – has a TWO year limitation.
• Corporation.
• Sole Proprietorship.
• Limited Liability Company.
• Full legal name of the entity.
• State in which the entity is registered.
• Resident or Entity Place of Business.
• Designation of the Broker or Forwarder who is going to be handling the customs business for the importer or exporter.
• Signature, Capacity and Date of the Signor.

The POA has seen ubiquitous use throughout some of the world’s leading economies and countries, including the EU and USA. This document will only become more significant in the future.

For further information, or to attain a copy of our POA template and current Brexit brokerage update, please contact Grant Liddell or Chris Carlile for assistance.