​A Collective Commitment to Secure Business Relationships

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CBN Financial Protection is a solidarity-based system designed to protect participating members against unpaid invoices for professional services provided to another CBN member.

The principle is simple: every participating member contributes USD 500 per year to a global solidarity fund. These contributions are pooled, allowing the participating community to collectively support a member facing an eligible unpaid service invoice.

Unused funds are carried forward from one year to the next, gradually strengthening the financial capacity of the CBN community.

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Who Can Benefit?

Financial Protection is:

• optional for Premium Members;

• automatically included as a mandatory commitment for Elite Members;

• available only to members whose contribution is fully paid and whose protection was active before the relevant service was performed.

The Financial Protection contribution of USD 500 per year is added separately.

Elite status cannot be purchased. It is awarded by CBN based on service quality, reliability, payment discipline, professional conduct and commitment to long-term partnerships.

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What Is Protected?

The solidarity fund may support eligible unpaid invoices relating exclusively to professional services, including:

• customs clearance services;

• customs documentation;

• tariff classification;

• customs consultancy;

• administrative representation;

• operational coordination;

• clearly identified professional fees.

Customs duties, VAT, excise duties, taxes, penalties, government charges, administrative advances and third-party disbursements are strictly excluded.

Invoices containing both professional services and duties or taxes must clearly separate each amount. Only the eligible service component may be considered.

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Shared Protection, Shared Responsibility

Every approved payment reduces the fund available to the entire participating community. Financial Protection therefore encourages all members to:

• select their business partners carefully;

• declare eligible transactions before performing the service;

• agree on clear payment terms;

• monitor outstanding invoices;

• respect their own financial commitments;

• immediately report delays or disputes.

An unpaid invoice does not affect only two companies. It affects the protection available to every participating member.

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Consequences of Non-Payment

When an unpaid invoice is confirmed, the defaulting member may face:

• suspension of CBN services and financial protection;

• withdrawal of Elite status, where applicable;

• restriction or termination of membership;

• an obligation to reimburse the solidarity fund;

• referral to the CBN Blacklist procedure;

• notification to the wider CBN membership, subject to review and the right of reply.

This collective accountability helps protect reliable companies and discourages behaviour that could damage the entire network.

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Eligibility and Review

A request may be considered only when:

• both parties were active CBN members when the service was performed;

• the creditor had active Financial Protection before accepting the assignment;

• the transaction was declared through CBN Financial Monitoring;

• the service was completed and properly documented;

• the invoice is due, valid and uncontested;

• documented payment reminders have been issued;

• no prior default or known dispute existed when the transaction was accepted.

Each request is reviewed under the Financial Protection Rules. Any payment remains subject to eligibility, approval and the funds actually available.

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Important Notice

CBN Financial Protection is a collective solidarity mechanism and not an individual savings account. Contributions are pooled, non-refundable and do not create personal ownership of any portion of the fund.

CBN does not guarantee payment, does not provide additional capital when the fund is insufficient and does not assume liability for members’ commercial debts. Support is never automatic and cannot exceed the amount available within the collective fund.

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Stronger Together. Responsible by Choice.

CBN Financial Protection transforms trust into a shared professional commitment. By selecting reliable partners, honouring payment obligations and protecting the collective fund, members help build a safer and more responsible international customs community.