Customs Broker License Examination Notice October 2013
This notice announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will conduct the Customs Broker License Examination on Wednesday, October 7, 2013. To better accommodate applicants desiring to take the October 2013 broker examination, CBP has automated the CBP Form 3124E, “Application for Customs Broker License Exam” and the payment and collection of the $200 examination fee process.
Applicants can apply and pay the applicable fee ($200) any time online. Applications must be submitted by Monday, September 9, 2013, at 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. (Application) http://1.usa.gov/164tYWh.
Applications for the Exam will only be accepted online. Any Applications and fees that are submitted directly to the service port or CBP Headquarters will be returned to the applicant. The purpose of the examination is to ‘determine the individual’s knowledge of Customs and related laws, regulations and procedures, bookkeeping, accounting, and all other appropriate matters, necessary to render valuable service to importers and exporters.’
As noted in Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations part 111.13(b): In order to be eligible to take the broker examination, an individual must (on the date of the examination), be a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age, and is not an officer or employee of the U.S. Government.
The examination will be administered at various locations. The applicant will be notified of the exam location and may contact the service port for additional information.
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 noted on the application, by COB, a deadline not yet posted by CBP. Refunds will be processed within 60 days after the scheduled exam.
Applicants who need assistance in completing the form, or have questions concerning payment may send an email to cbp.cbppay.gov@dhs.gov or may contact the CBP Pay.gov Help Desk at (317) 614-4964.
On the day of the examination, after the test administrators have closed the doors to the examination room, applicants will not be permitted into the examination room and will not be allowed to sit for the examination. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. Please allocate sufficient time for travel to the examination site, as no exceptions will be made for traffic delays, late trains, or similar incidences.
The Customs Broker License Examination consists of 80 multiple-choice questions. A score of 75 percent is required to pass. The examination lasts 4 hours. Exam topics typically include Entry, Classification, Country of Origin, Trade Agreements, Antidumping/Countervailing Duty, Value, Broker Responsibilities, FP&F, Protests, Marking, Prohibited and Restricted Merchandise, Drawback, Intellectual Property Rights, and other subjects pertinent to a broker’s duties.
CBP wrote the April 2012 examination using the below-mentioned references. Applicants should bring these and any other pertinent reference material to the examination. The use of any versions of the listed references other than those recommended is at the applicant’s own risk.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2013 version, NO Supplements)
Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (revised as of April 1, 2013 Parts Parts 0 to End)
Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) (ABI User Requirements (CATAIR))
Appendix B – Valid Codes
Appendix D – Metric Conversion
Appendix E – Valid Entry Numbers
Appendix G – Common Errors
Glossary of Terms
Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (July 24, 2012) (CBP Form 7501 – Instructions (doc – 131 KB.))
Directives
3530-002A, Right to Make Entry (3530-002A Right to Make Entry)
Applicants must provide their own reference materials.
Examine may use any written reference material; however, electronic reference material (i.e., laptops, PDAs, etc) is precluded.
Any applicant caught cheating will be removed from the exam.
Cell phones, pagers, and other communication devices may not be used inside the examination room.
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 Application Fee of $200 will be required. To apply for a license, an applicant must be 21 years of age and a United States citizen at the time of the filing of the license application and not an officer or employee of the United States Government.
Contact your local CBP service port for further information and restrictions.
You may direct any written comments to:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection 1400 L Street – 4th Floor
Broker Compliance Branch Washington, D.C. 20229-1143
