CBP Updates its Notice on April 2011 CHB Exam to Remove Outdated Info

February 9, 2011 by Elizabeth Parker|Customs and Ports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its notice announcing that the next customs broker license exam will be held on Monday, April 4, 2011.

According to CBP sources, the exam notice contains updated information, such as the reference material used for the exam, as the previous version listed outdated material. The complete updated list of materials for the April 2011 exam is below.

April Exam Application and Fee due by March 4

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 4, 2011 to be considered. Applications received by CBP after COB on March 4, 2011 will not be accepted -- no exceptions. In addition, applications and fees submitted to CBP Headquarters will be returned.

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 30, 2011.

HTS, 19 CFR, Selected Directives, and CATAIR Sections Needed for Exam

The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and a score of 75% is required to pass. 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 wrote the April 2011 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) (2010 version)
19 CFR (revised as of April 1, 2010) (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; and Glossary of Terms)
Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (8-30-2005)
Directives (3550-055 -- Instructions for Deriving Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code; 3550-079A -- Ultimate Consignee at Time of Entry or Release; 3530-002A -- Right to Make Entry)

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

Those That Pass Exam May Apply for Customs Broker License

If the applicant achieves a passing score and wishes to apply to become a licensed customs broker, an Application for Customs Broker License (CBP Form 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.

Exam instructions are available here.