Purchasing and Customs Agents, Officers, and Brokers
(NOC 1225, 1315)
in All NS OccupationsPurchasing agents buy general and specialized equipment, materials, land or access rights and business services for use or for further processing by their establishment. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors. Customs brokers clear goods through customs and to their destination on behalf of importer and exporter clients. Ship brokers buy and sell cargo space on ships and buy and sell ships, yachts and other watercraft on behalf of clients. This group also includes other brokers, not elsewhere classified, who negotiate commercial transactions, logistics or other services between parties on behalf of clients. They are employed by customs, ship or other brokerage establishments or may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All NS Occupations
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Purchasing and Customs Agents, Officers, and Brokers most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs are typically temporary positions (such as a term, contract, or casual work).
The median employment income for 79% of Purchasing and Customs Agents, Officers, and Brokers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $52,367. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$16.00
Minimum$25.96
Median$36.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$24,255
Minimum$50,506
Median$80,357
MaximumCompared to: All NS Occupations
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$19.89
Median$40.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$2,872
Minimum$29,983
Median$83,126
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Purchasing agents buy general and specialized equipment, materials, land or access rights and business services for use or for further processing by their establishment. They are employed throughout the public and private sectors.
Customs brokers clear goods through customs and to their destination on behalf of importer and exporter clients. Ship brokers buy and sell cargo space on ships and buy and sell ships, yachts and other watercraft on behalf of clients. This group also includes other brokers, not elsewhere classified, who negotiate commercial transactions, logistics or other services between parties on behalf of clients. They are employed by customs, ship or other brokerage establishments or may be self-employed.
Job duties
Purchasing agents and officers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Purchase general and specialized equipment, materials, land or access rights, or business services for use or for further processing by their establishment.
- Assess requirements of an establishment and develop specifications for equipment, materials and supplies to be purchased.
- Invite tenders, consult with suppliers and review quotations.
- Determine or negotiate contract terms and conditions, award supplier contracts or recommend contract awards.
- Establish logistics of delivery schedules, monitor progress and contact clients and suppliers to resolve problems.
- Negotiate land acquisition or access rights for public or private use, and may conduct field investigations of properties.
- May hire, train or supervise purchasing clerks.
- Purchasing agents and officers may specialize in the purchase of particular materials or business services such as furniture or office equipment.
Customs brokers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Prepare and process import/export documents and other forms on behalf of clients according to customs regulations, laws and procedures.
- Sign import/export documents on behalf of client, using power of attorney.
- Arrange for payment of duties, taxes, storage and transportation of imported goods and bonds to cover duty goods.
- Quote duty and tax rates on commodities for clients.
- Provide advice to clients on export and import restrictions, tariff systems, letters of credit, insurance requirements and other custom related matters.
- May represent client before administrative tribunals or in other dealings with government officials.
Shipbrokers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Buy and sell cargo space on ships on behalf of individuals, companies and governments.
- Consult trade publications and other sources to provide information to clients on available cargo space, destinations, rates and departure locations and times, and arrange ship charters for clients.
- Negotiate rates and terms and prepare contracts and other papers.
- Buy and sell ships, yachts and other watercraft on behalf of clients.
- Inspect vessels, explain features and negotiate price when purchasing or selling for clients.
- Arrange for insurance coverage for cargo or for ships.
- Arrange for registration and licensing of ships.
Sample job titles
- advertising buyer
- cargo broker
- contract negotiator
- customs broker
- land agent
- procurement officer
- purchaser
- purchasing agent
- ship agent
- shipbroker
Skills
To work in this field, you need excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills. You must have good negotiation skills and be attentive to detail. The ability to analyze detailed information accurately and quickly is necessary in order to make decisions. You must have initiative and be willing to accept new ideas and take risks. You must be efficient and aware of customer needs. Familiarity with computers would be helpful.
Job requirements
- Completion of high school is required and some post-secondary education in commerce or a related field may be required to work in these jobs.
- A bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, commerce or economics is usually required for purchasing agents and officers.
- A certificate in purchasing from the Purchasing Management Association of Canada (PMAC) may be required for purchasing agents and officers.
- Certification from the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) may be required.
- Customs brokers require several years of on-the-job training and completion of a customs brokers training program through the International Federation of Customs Brokers Association. A customs broker licence, issued by the Canada Border Services Agency, is required for an individual or company to operate a customs brokerage business.
- Correspondence courses from the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers are available for shipbrokers.
Other considerations
Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience. There is no mobility between the different types of brokers in this group.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All NS Occupations
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Annapolis Valley
North Shore
Southern
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Public Administration
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Transportation and Warehousing
Construction
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
65+
15-24
Compared to: All NS Occupations
45-54
55-64
35-44
65+
25-34
Top levels of education
College certificate or diploma
N/AHigh school
N/ABachelor's degree
$53,363 median annual incomeTrades certificate
N/AUniversity certificate or diploma
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
College certificate or diploma
$33,837 median annual incomeHigh school
$30,074 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$39,473 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$32,871 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,775 median annual incomeEducation & training
Applied economics
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the application of economic principles and analytical techniques to the study of particular industries, activities, or the exploitation of particular resources. These programs include courses in economic theory; microeconomic analysis and modelling of specific industries and commodities; the economic consequences of resource allocation decisions; regulatory and consumer factors; and the technical aspects of specific subjects as they relate to economic analysis.
Institutions providing this program
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
Business administration and management - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. These programs include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
800 Sackville Drive
Lower Sackville, NS B4E 1R8
(902) 463-6700
6960 Mumford Road, Suite 155-1st Floor Mumford Professional Centre
Halifax, NS B3L 4P1
(902) 455-3395
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
PO Box 550, 1 Main Street
Springhill, NS B0M 1X0
(902) 597-3737
372 Pleasant Street
Yarmouth, NS B5A 2L2
(902) 742-3501
236 Belcher Street
Kentville, NS B4N 0A6
(902) 678-7341
75 High Street
Bridgewater, NS B4V 1V8
(902) 543-4608
PO Box 820, 39 Acadia Avenue
Stellarton, NS B0K 1S0
(902) 752-2002
226 Reeves Street
Port Hawkesbury, NS B9A 2A2
(902) 625-2380
PO Box 1042, 1240 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6J7
(902) 563-2450
36 Arthur Street
Truro, NS B2N 1X5
(902) 893-5385
80 Mawiomi Place
Dartmouth, NS B2Y 0A5
(902) 491-1100
Unit 37, 115 Chain Lake Drive
Halifax, NS B3S 1B3
(877) 491-6774
Business administration, management and operations - Other
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program not listed above that relates to Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
Business/commerce - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and non-profit public and private institutions and agencies. The program prepares individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
Siège Social: 1695, Route 1
Pointe-de-l'Église, NS B0W 1M0
(902) 769-2114
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Economics - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the systematic study of the production, conservation and allocation of resources in conditions of scarcity, together with the organizational frameworks related to these processes. These programs include courses in economic theory, microeconomics and macroeconomics, comparative economic systems, money and banking systems, international economics, quantitative analytical methods, and applications to specific industries and public policy issues.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Not Provincially Regulated: This job may be regulated by a federal regulatory body.