Yes, customs brokers must be authorized to conduct customs business on behalf of the owner, purchaser, or consignee of eligible shipments through a valid power of attorney.

A power of attorney (POA) is a document that gives someone else authority to act on your behalf. In trade, this document is often used between an importer or nominal consignee and customs broker.

Nominal consignees are usually parties representing exporters, importers or consolidators of cargo. There is no requirement for customs brokers to collect a POA from every individual consignee.