Applications for October 2007 Customs Broker Exam Due August 31st (Reference Materials for Exam Listed, Etc.)

October 2007 Exam Application and Fee Due by August 31, 2007

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, August 31, 2007 to be considered. Applications received by CBP after COB August 31, 2007 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, September 26, 2007.

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

According to CBP, the exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and a score of 75% is required to pass. CBP adds that the exam lasts four hours and typically includes topics such as: Entry; Classification; Country of Origin; Trade Agreements; Antidumping/Countervailing Duty; Value; Broker Responsibilities; Fines, Penalties & Forfeitures (FP&F); 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 2007 exam using the below mentioned references which applicants should bring along with any other pertinent reference material to the examination:

Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the U.S. (HTS) (2007 version - no supplements)

1. CFR (revised as of April 1, 2007) (Parts 1-199 - no supplements)

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)

Remote Location Filing (eligibility requirements) (added in April 2007)

Submission Changes for Supplemental Information Letters and Post Entry Amendments (new for October 2007)

Directives

• 3510-004 - Monetary Guidelines for Setting Bond Amounts
• Amendment to 3510-004 for Certain Merchandise Subject to Antidumping/ 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.

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 be an officer or employee of the U.S. Government.

CBP Instruction Document Not Yet Updated

CBP's Instructions for the Customs Broker LicenseExamination, which typically covers much of the same information as its Notice of Examination, but with some additional details (e.g. silent calculators are allowed, examinees may keep the exam booklet, etc.), has yet to be updated for the October 2007 exam.

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