CBP Revises the Date for the April 2010 Customs Broker Exam (Exam Now Scheduled for April 7th)

(CBP had previously announced that the exam would be held on Monday, April 5, 2010. CBP sources state that the exam has been rescheduled due to its conflict with a religious holiday. See ITT's Online Archives or 01/06/10 news, 10010630, for BP summary of CBP's previous exam announcement.

In 2004, CBP published a final rule that allows the date of the customs broker exam to be changed when the normal date conflicts with a holiday, religious observance, or other scheduled event. See ITT's Online Archives or 09/01/04 news, 04090110, for BP summary of CBP's final rule.)

April Exam Application and Fee Due by March 8, 2010

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) Monday, March 8, 2010 to be considered. Applications received by CBP after COB on March 8, 2010 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, April 2, 2010.

HTS, 19 CFR, 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 0s 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 April 2010 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) (2009 version with supplements)

1. CFR (revised as of April 1, 2009) (Parts 0-140 and 141-199)

Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR):

• 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)

Submission Changes for Supplemental Information Letters and Post Entry Amendments

Remote Location Filing Eligibility Requirements

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

(The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Minimum Security Criteria for Customs Brokers (3-20-2007) was listed as a reference used in preparing the October 2009 exam, but is not listed as a document used in preparing the April 2010 exam.)

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.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/28/08 news, 08052805, for BP summary of CBP's proposed rule to amend the customs broker exam eligibility requirements.)

CBP notice of examination (dated 01/06/10) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/broker/broker_exam/notice_of_exam.xml.