Reminder - Applications for April 2006 Customs Broker Exam Are Due March 3, 2006

According to CBP, all exam applications and exam fees ($200) 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, March 3, 2006 to be considered. CBP notes that applications received by CBP after COB March 3, 2006 will not be accepted - no exceptions. In addition, applications and fees submitted to CBP Headquarters will be returned.

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, March 29, 2006.

HTS, 19 CFR and Selected Directives and CATAIR Sections Should be Brought to Exam

According to CBP, the April 2006 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 April 2006 exam using the below mentioned references, which should be brought to the exam:

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS) (2006 version)

Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (revised as of April 1, 2005) (Parts 1-199)

Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)

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

Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (8-30-2005), available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/toolbox/forms/7501_instructions.ctt/7501_instructions.doc

Directives

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

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

CBP has also posted November 28, 2005 Instructions for the Customs Broker LicenseExamination, which covers much of the same information as its Notice of Examination for April 2006; however, the list of reference materials (e.g. the versions of the HTS and 19 CFR to use, as well as the new CBP Form 7501) is updated. This November 28, 2005 document also includes additional information.

CBP notice of examination for April 2006 available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/broker_management/broker_exam/notice_of_exam.xml

CBP instructions for April 2006 examination (dated 11/28/05) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/broker_management/broker_exam/exam_instructions.ctt/exam_instructions.doc