Overview Demo
The U.S. Customs broker exam is written and administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection twice a year. It is comprised of 80 multiple choice questions, the minimum passing score is 75%, meaning you can miss up to 20 questions and receive a passing grade. The exam is open book, consider this mandatory because if you do not bring proper documents you will not pass.
Major topics of the exam and prep course (click to see the most cited answer location for each topic):
It is impossible to memorize all of the information you will need to successfully pass the exam, which is why US Customs has made it an open book exam (consider that there are about 2260 pages in the 19cfr and 3700 pages in the HTS). The secret to passing is learning how to quickly find the answers in the material you bring to the actual exam. There are 4 major considerations when studying for the exam:
- How to read the 19 CFR
- How to classify goods with HTS codes
- How to read a CBP 7501 form
- How to handle Customs valuation
This course was designed to help you pass the exam, not necessarily to learn more about the day-to-day details of a broker or import compliance professional (even though we hope this course helps!). By learning how to quickly maneuver through the legal citations in 19 CFR, properly classify HTS codes, understand the CBP7501, and general valuation knowledge, you will have a much better chance at passing the actual exam.
Because the exam is open book, you will need the following for the exam:
- HTSUS of the current or previous year
- 19CFR of the current or previous year
- CBP Form 7501 Instructions
- Right to Make Entry Directive 3530-002A
- ACE Entry Summary Business Process
- Imports Academy reference guides for forms, timetable, fines and violations, and free trade agreements
- Suggested to use a large metal 3-ring binders or a 12″ catalog rack
- Calculator
- #2 pencils
- Coffee! (you’ll be there a while)
It is important to take note of the exam notification provided by CBP before the exam is administered. The list provided is the common requirements but seem to be changing over time. You will also need to bring a copy of the admittance letter, a driver’s license and/or passport in order to be signed in when you arrive.
The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions (4 possible answers for each question); you will have 4 ½ hours to complete the exam (about 3 minutes to answer each question). Each question is designed to have a single best answer, but this can be subjective. While there is no guarantee, due to poorly written questions and/or lack of a correct answer, usually 1-3 questions end up being marked as “credit given to all”. When you take the exam and come across a question with no correct answer, or poorly contrived answer, make note of it as you may need to protest the question later on.
Test your memory with regulation topics below.
Use the flash cards below to help you memorize the sections of the 19 CFR.
Click on the “Classification Demo” topic below to learn more.