Applications for October 2005 Customs Broker Exam Due Sept 2nd

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 3, 2005.

October 2005 Exam Application and Fee Due by September 2, 2005

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 2, 2005 to be considered. CBP notes that applications received by CBP after COB September 2, 2005 will not be accepted - no exceptions.

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 28, 2005.

HTS, 19 CFR and Selected Directives and CATAIR Sections Should be Brought to Exam (Several New CATAIR Appendices and Directives Added)

According to CBP, the October 2005 exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and a 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, 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 2005 exam using the below mentioned references, several of which are newly added (identified by ^&359;), which should be brought to the exam:

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS) (2005, USITC Publication 3745)

Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (revised as of April 1, 2004) (Parts 1-199)

Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)

• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Requirements
• Appendix B - Valid Codes ^&359;
• Appendix D - Metric Conversion ^&359;
• Appendix E - Valid Entry Numbers ^&359;
• Appendix G - Common Errors ^&359;
• Appendix H - Census Warning Messages ^&359;
• Appendix L - Drawback Errors ^&359;
• Glossary of Terms ^&359;

Directives

• 3510-004 - Monetary Guidelines for Setting Bond Amounts
• Amendment to 3510-004 for Certain Merchandise Subject to Antidumping/Countervailing Duty Cases ^&359;
• 3550-055 - Instructions for Deriving Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code
• 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.)
• 3550-067 - Entry Summary Acceptance and Rejection Policy
• 3550-079A - Ultimate Consignee at Time of Entry or Release ^&359;
• 3560-001A - Census Interface-Processing Procedures ^&359;
• 5610-002A - Standard Guidelines for the Input of Names and Addresses into Automated Commercial System (ACS) files ^&359;.

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

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

Those That Pass Exam May Apply for Customs Broker 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), fingerprints, a current credit report, 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 and not an officer or employee of the U.S. Government.

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

BP Note

Readers are reminded that CBP has recently extended the deadline for filing appeals for the April 2005 Customs broker exam to July 22, 2005. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/08/05 news, 05060805, for BP summary on this extension.)