Customs agent (also called customs representative, customs agent, customs broker or customs broker) is the natural or legal person authorized by the competent customs authority to act on behalf of third parties in foreign trade operations, such as import, export or customs transit. Its function is to represent the client before public or private organizations, managing and processing customs formalities based on a legally granted power.

According to various legislations, it is constituted as an auxiliary of the customs administration.

This term of Customs Agent is applicable in Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Spain, Central America and other countries in the Latin American region.

In Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, the name Customs Broker is used for this specialist.

In Panama it is called the Customs Corridor.

In Spain it is called a customs agent or customs representative.

In Mexico, the Customs Agent is defined as the natural person authorized by the Tax Administration Service, through a patent (authorization), to promote the clearance of goods on behalf of others, in the different customs regimes provided for in the Mexican Customs Law.

In Ecuador, in accordance with the Organic Code of Production, Trade and Investment, the customs agent is authorized to manage, on a regular basis and on behalf of others, the clearance of goods. To do this, you must obtain a license from the customs authority, which will be valid for five years, renewable for a similar period. Additionally, the customs agent must sign the customs declaration, when the regulations establish it, and must invoice for their services according to the table of minimum fees that will be set by the general director of the national customs service of Ecuador.

The largest International Organization in customs matters is the World Customs Organization.

The history of the WCO began in 1947 when the thirteen European governments represented on the Committee for European Economic Cooperation agreed to establish a Study Group. This Group examined the possibility of establishing one or several Inter-European Customs Unions based on the principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).[5]​.

In 1948, the Study Group gave rise to the creation of two commissions - an Economic Committee and a Customs Committee. The Economic Committee was the predecessor of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Customs Committee became the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC).

In 1952, the Convention formally establishing the CCC came into force. The Council is the governing body of the CCC and the inaugural session of the Council was held in Brussels on 26 January 1953.

Representatives from seventeen European countries attended the first session of the CCC Council.

After years of membership growth, in 1994, the Council adopted the working name World Customs Organization, to better reflect its transition to a truly global intergovernmental institution. It is now the voice of 179 customs administrations operating on all continents and representing all stages of economic development. Today, WCO members are responsible for processing more than 98% of all international trade.[6]​.

The WCO's mission is to provide leadership, guidance and support to national Customs Administrations to ensure and facilitate legitimate trade, track revenues, protect society and develop international trade capabilities.[7]​.

The OMA currently has its members grouped in six regions.[8]​.

It is celebrated on January 26 of each year in commemoration of the day on which the inaugural session of the CCC (Customs Co-operation Council) was held in 1953.

Customs agent (also called customs representative, customs agent, customs broker or customs broker) is the natural or legal person authorized by the competent customs authority to act on behalf of third parties in foreign trade operations, such as import, export or customs transit. Its function is to represent the client before public or private organizations, managing and processing customs formalities based on a legally granted power.

According to various legislations, it is constituted as an auxiliary of the customs administration.

This term of Customs Agent is applicable in Chile, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Spain, Central America and other countries in the Latin American region.

In Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and Argentina, the name Customs Broker is used for this specialist.

In Panama it is called the Customs Corridor.

In Spain it is called a customs agent or customs representative.

In Mexico, the Customs Agent is defined as the natural person authorized by the Tax Administration Service, through a patent (authorization), to promote the clearance of goods on behalf of others, in the different customs regimes provided for in the Mexican Customs Law.

In Ecuador, in accordance with the Organic Code of Production, Trade and Investment, the customs agent is authorized to manage, on a regular basis and on behalf of others, the clearance of goods. To do this, you must obtain a license from the customs authority, which will be valid for five years, renewable for a similar period. Additionally, the customs agent must sign the customs declaration, when the regulations establish it, and must invoice for their services according to the table of minimum fees that will be set by the general director of the national customs service of Ecuador.

The largest International Organization in customs matters is the World Customs Organization.

The history of the WCO began in 1947 when the thirteen European governments represented on the Committee for European Economic Cooperation agreed to establish a Study Group. This Group examined the possibility of establishing one or several Inter-European Customs Unions based on the principles of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).[5]​.

In 1948, the Study Group gave rise to the creation of two commissions - an Economic Committee and a Customs Committee. The Economic Committee was the predecessor of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the Customs Committee became the Customs Cooperation Council (CCC).

In 1952, the Convention formally establishing the CCC came into force. The Council is the governing body of the CCC and the inaugural session of the Council was held in Brussels on 26 January 1953.

Representatives from seventeen European countries attended the first session of the CCC Council.

After years of membership growth, in 1994, the Council adopted the working name World Customs Organization, to better reflect its transition to a truly global intergovernmental institution. It is now the voice of 179 customs administrations operating on all continents and representing all stages of economic development. Today, WCO members are responsible for processing more than 98% of all international trade.[6]​.

The WCO's mission is to provide leadership, guidance and support to national Customs Administrations to ensure and facilitate legitimate trade, track revenues, protect society and develop international trade capabilities.[7]​.

The OMA currently has its members grouped in six regions.[8]​.

It is celebrated on January 26 of each year in commemoration of the day on which the inaugural session of the CCC (Customs Co-operation Council) was held in 1953.