A customs power of attorney, what is that and what am I signing?

When a hunter is planning an international hunt or safari, there are a lot of aspects to consider. A customs broker is often used to facilitate the process. One of the terms that comes up in the conversation is customs power of attorney. So, what is power of attorney?

A customs power of attorney, what is that and what am I signing?
This form allows us to act on your behalf with not only Customs and Border Protection, but also any other Government Agency required to clear your trophies. Pursuant to Customs Regulations a Customs Power of Attorney must be obtained for each and every party we represent.

What do you need from me to complete a customs power of attorney?
We need your full given name, as provided to the Social Security Administration. Also both your mailing and physical home addresses. If you live in a rural area this must be your United States Postal Service approved fire department address.

We will need your Social Security number. CBP Regulation 19CFR 24.5 (b) (ii) reads if no Internal Revenue Service Employer Identification Number has been assigned, the Social Security number is required to identify the Importer of Record. We are not permitted to share your personal information with anyone other than the Government Agencies involved in your specific transaction.

Ok, I've signed the Customs POA - now what?
With the POA you will have received a cover sheet from a Coppersmith office. It will provide you with the complete name and address of the person handling this portion of the transaction for you. We are now required by CBP to validate the information that you have given to us. In order to do that we will require a copy of either your Social Security Card or a copy of correspondence from the IRS/SSA dated within the past two years and a copy of a picture ID such as Driver's License or Passport. Along with these items return your originally signed fax copy of the POA to the address on the fax cover sheet. If you have an original U.S. Cites Import Form for one of the animals being imported send that along with the POA to Coppersmith.


Will I have to fill out this form again?
No, once you have done this and are entered in our computer's database your POA will remain in effect until you revoke it. As a note, if you already have a POA on file with another Customs Broker, you might want to call or fax them to advise that you are revoking the POA you have on file with them.