The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America

cal counting, inspecting, record keeping, copy- ing (with pen and quill), and affixing stamps and seals. Service, integrity, and trust became the foundation upon which the industry would grow and prosper, and with that growth and prosperity came the need to organize and launch a collective voice. While American industry was on the rise, an isolationist philosophy kept foreign trade at bay. Growth for many brokers was slow, but steady, and the industry remained mostly a family affair; company reins were passed on to wives, sons, and daughters. Over time, part- nerships emerged and business continued to grow, with New York as the center of it all. On March 9, 1922, the New York Customs Brokers Association was organized to succeed the pre- vious organization, with only licensed Customs brokers of the Port of New York, eligible for membership. The aftermath of the Great Depression brought hardships to many customs brokers. This was due partly to the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs on over 20,000 im- ported goods, causing trade to slow to almost a standstill. In 1934, President Roosevelt initi- ated a series of tariff reductions that helped foreign trade rebound, while brokers recog- nized that government needed a better un- derstanding of industry issues. Government learned a lesson, too, as all took note of the importance of trade to the overall economy. (Left to right) Amy Magnus,BillyApp and Geoff-Powell,Former NCBFAAPresident