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Next Customs Broker Exam Will Be Given on October 4, 2004

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a notice on its Web site announcing that the next Customs Broker License Examination will be held on Monday, October 4, 2004.

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According to CBP, all exam applications and exam fees must be received and accepted by CBP at the service port where the applicant intends to take the examination on or before the close of business (COB) Friday, September 3, 2004 to be considered.

CBP also states that any applicant who files an application and subsequently wishes to withdraw from the exam must submit a written notice of withdrawal to the CBP service port where the application was originally tendered by COB Wednesday, September 29, 2004.

Applicants Should Bring HTS, 19 CFR and Selected CATAIR and Directives

According to CBP, the October 2004 exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and a computed score of 75% is required to pass. CBP also states that the exam lasts four hours and typically includes topics such as: Entry, Classification, Country of Origin, Trade Agreements, Value, Broker Responsibilities, Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures, Quota, Protests, Marking, Prohibited and Restricted Merchandise, Drawback, Intellectual Property Rights, and other subjects pertinent to a broker's duties.

CBP states that it wrote the October 2004 exam using the below mentioned references, which should be brought to the exam:

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (2004, USITC Publication 3653) (No Supplements)

Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (2003, revised as of April 1, 2003) (All parts)

Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)

  • Introduction
  • Getting Started
  • Requirements

Directives

  • 3550-061 - Instructions for Preparation of CF 7501 (CBP notes that references in this document to attachments, appendices, and other directives are excluded from being tested on this exam, unless separately identified.)
  • 3550-055 - Instructions for Deriving Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code

In its notice, CBP provides links for the above-described CATAIR and Directives.

(CBP sources have previously stated by phone that the rules for bringing items such as calculators, pencil, etc. are covered in the instructions those taking the test receive in advance of the test.)

Those That Pass Exam Then Apply for CHB License

CBP states that if the applicant achieves a passing score and wishes to apply to become a licensed Customs broker, an Application for Customs Broker License (CBP 3124) and a License Fee of $200 will be required. CBP notes that to apply for a license, an applicant must be 21 years of age and a U.S. citizen at the time of the filing of the license application.

Deadline for Filing Appeals for April 2004 Customs Broker Exam is July 13, 2004

In its notice, CBP also states that pursuant to 19 CFR 111.13(f), an examinee who fails the exam may challenge the results of the exam by filing a written appeal with CBP within 60 calendar days after the date of the written notice notifying the examinee of his/her test results.

For the April 2004 exam, CBP states that the date of the written notice is May 14, 2004. As a result, CBP states that the deadline for filing appeals will be July 13, 2004. (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/02/04 news, 04070210, for previous BP summary of the appeals period for the April 2004 exam.)

CBP notice available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/broker_management/notice_of_exam.xml