Tuesday, October 6, 2009

October 2009 Customs Broker Exam - PARTIAL Answers

Making the blog answer sheet for the broker's exam is different in a few key ways from taking the test, but none is more key than the fact that we have more than four hours. That means that we can take the time to research as much as we need to in order to get the most accurate (though still unofficial) document possible to all of you. Our first attempt may have some mistakes, but they will be corrected as new updates are posted.

With that said, we're not finished yet -- BUT we do have most of them completed. We've discovered a couple of errors and will correct those tomorrow.

Q10 should be E.
Q 71 should be A.

So here they are.

We'll post the rest in the next 24 hours.

As always, remember that these answers represent our opinion. The official answers will come from Customs and Border Protection in a few weeks and will be posted on their site. In other words, we're probably right but these answers do not guarantee whether or not you've passed; it merely is presented as a helpful tool for broker students who are (quite understandably) eager to have any idea of where they stand.

We invite you to post your answers, explanations and other comments; however, we ask that comments be professional. Remember, we do not have the official answers. You’ll have plenty of time to argue with CBP if you disagree with their answers.

Happy browsing!

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wizard, for #41,how can that be a temporary import when it is imported for 6 months and 2 weeks.CH.98 Note 1 states 6 months max? Also,#71 should be A since Las Vegas is a port of LA?

Karin said...

From the Wizard....
Please remember the following when providing comments.

1. The Wizard is not perfect and makes mistakes.

2. Please be professional in your comments in this area. Inappropriate comments will not be posted.

Anonymous said...

Wizard, thanks for coming up with some preliminary answers for this test.

Question# 32: The April 2003 exam has A listed: 7114.11.4500. Shouldn't that be the answer for this test too?

Unknown said...

Can you post the questions for the rest of us?

Unknown said...

Can you post the questions for the rest of us?

Karin said...

From the Wizard....
We do not have a clean copy of the test and do not have permission to post the one that was provided to us with the student's markings. If someone sends a clean copy or gives up permission to post the one they send with markings, we would be happy to post.

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know any possible challengable questions or questions Customs might throw away and give all credit?

Anonymous said...

And Oh, I agree with the first post. Las Vegas is a port within the Los Angeles District so they should be able to make entry.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why the answer to # 10 is "C" instead of "E". I can't find where it mentions the 5 days. Will you clarify?

Anonymous said...

I agree w/ the Wizard's answer for Q41. The question states, "As a broker you file a 7501 at time of entry via ABI" - at the time of entry you were provided with information showing that the cars would be in a car show which lasted 3 months. In my opinion, the question is not asking you the classification for the cars after you found out that it would be here longer than the 6 month period - which then would be subject to duty and penalty. However, I do agree w/ Anonymous about Q71 - shouldn't the answer be A. Also, Q32 I think should be A also.

C said...

Hi Wizard, Thank you for working on the preliminary answers!

A few of my notes:

On #1, I think the answer is C. Ref. 3550-067 pg2. Since the amount is less than $10 between the total duties, taxes, and fees vs. the check submitted.

On # 6, I chose D, based on 191.3

On #70, I chose E, based on your same reference.

hekana said...

I agree with the first post. It passes its 6 month limit by 2 weeks. Las Vegas is a port of L.A., but not sure if its considered another district... Question #32 platium plated, sterling silver set of silverware should be D

Unknown said...

About number 12, I thought both A and D were false but chose D on the test.

D states "If an importer does not have an assigned entry filer cose, or if the port director(my emphasis) refuses to allow use of an assigned entry filer code, the importer or broker shall obtain forms with a CBP assigned pre-printed machine readable entry number with a computer check digit."

I don't have title 19 with me right now, but I recall reading in 143.2a that it wasn't the port director who had the authority to refuse the use of an entry filer code, but rather the Assistant Commissioner of the Office of International Trade.

But like I said, I believe A was a valid choice as well... perhaps it will be protestable.

Anonymous said...

First, thanks for putting this up, it is a big help. I can get 5 more wrong with the 15 left you still have to post and pass...

I have, however, found 2 errors.

1) Questions 32 - Someone else mentioned this, but the classification should be in 7114.11.4500. The previous exam confirms this as the set is of precious metal, not base.

2) Question 10 - Your reference of 127.1(c) is the correct place to get the answer, but in there it says:

"Whenever, in the opinion of the port director, entry cannot be made for want of proper documents or other causes."

This points to answer E

3) Question 12 - I put D for my answer. The answer says "If an importer does not have an assigned entry filer code, or if the PORT DIRECTOR refuses..." while the regs say If an importer does not have an assigned entry filer code, or if the ASSISTANT COMISSIONER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE refuses..."

I am going to protest this one

Anonymous said...

Question #10,
Wizard, you referenced 127.1(c) so the corresponding answer should be E. “Whenever the port director determines entry cannot be made”

Anonymous said...

Hello Wizard,
Thank you very, very much for your possible answers!!!
I'd like you double check question #10 with question #50 October 2004, and question #71 with question #36 October 2006. I think they are the same with different #, so it would be: for #10: "E", and for #71:"A".
Can you please review it for me? I'm dying to know if I approved :)
I thank you sooo much again for your support!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Wizard,I see the logic for B.Laredo for Q.#70,however CFR 111.19 F states E.Wash.DC.I have looked but I can not find any reference for reinstatement fees,or where they should be submitted? Also I understand Note 5 as a reference for Q.#41,so we are supposed to assume the Secretary of Treasury granted approval?

Anonymous said...

Wizard,thanks for your help on the exam.I have a question for you regarding Q#1,depending on whether the entry is ABI or NON-ABI,how do we know which it is?The reason I ask is according to Dir.3550-067,3-F a NON ABI entry does not require a statement regarding while an ABI does require a statement?Also on Q#35,it looks alot like Q#27 of April 06 exam where the correct answer is 0703.10.4000,which is answer C for Q#35 on this exam.Is C possibly correct for Q#35??
Again,Thank You for your assistance.

Anonymous said...

Hi wizard! Q76*i agree with D however if E is worded incorrectly and could also be a correct answer. It states "not in advanced in value but improved" however the tariff reads "without having been advanced in value or improved". E seems to be worded to show that the goods cannot be advanced in value but can be inproved, which is incorrect. I went straight to the tariff and found E to be incorrect. It might be reaching but I think this would be a good protest question. What do you think?

Anonymous said...

Wizard,

On your answer key, you have the answer to question 69 as "E" $476.00. That same question was asked on the October 2005 exam, and the correct answer per the answer key was $450.00. Did something change to increase the fee by $26.00. Also question #76. All the statements except "E" should apply. If we read answer "e" it states not advanced in value BUT improved in condtion. That is not true for 9801.00.25. Thanks

Anonymous said...

I think they should throw out question 60. Per the regs, all seem to be protestable. I guess we shall see.

Anonymous said...

Anyone have any comments on the difficulty of this test compared to previous tests? My opinion is that this was more difficult than any of the practice tests I took.

Karin said...

Wizard on Question #70

111.19(f)(4) states the application must be filed in Washington. The fee is paid according to 111.19(c).

Karin said...

Wizard Comments on Q35

Question 27 from the April 2006 Exam is not identical to this question. The provision for "onion sets" 0703.10.2000 is more specific than "other" 0703.10.4000.

Karin said...

Wizard Comments on Q76

The Anonymous commentor makes an excellent argument for Answer E. As you all have seen from other questions, just one or two words can change the question completely.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wizard,

What is your opinion on the difficulty of this exam compared to April's? I was shocked that there were 25 classification questions compared to the norm of 19. Also, it seems that @ 70% of the test was taken from previous tests - is this high or is this typical? Thanks for all your help!!

Karin said...

Wizard Comments on Q60

Since 19 U.S.C. 1520(c) was repealed in 2004, the Wizard would argue that A is the correct answer; however, the regulations used for the exam do not show this removal from 174.11. The Wizard believes credit should be given for all answers and extra credit for those who got it right. LOL!

Karin said...

Wizard Comments on Q21

It's likely that CBP will only give credit for Answer D; hoewver, it would be nice to give credit for E too. CBP might argue that the test instructions state that you are to pick the best answer and that D is more specific than E; however, packaging is important in other chapters, so why not here?

Karin said...

Wizard Comments on Q50

Answer B is an incorrect statement becuase the amount for de mminimis is 7% of the WEIGHT, not the VALUE. Therefore, we cannot disregard based on value.

Anonymous said...

So based on my anwers and the wizard's answers, I missed a total of 8. (I would have missed 5, but I made careless mistakes on 3 questions).

Let's see what Customs come up with.

Karin said...

Wizard Comments on Q64

CIF includes ALL costs for transporation to the destination, so foreign inland freight is included just like the international freight and insuarnce. It cannot be deducted because there is no though bill of lading.

Karin said...

Wizard Comments on Q63

$100,000 - $6,000 (frt) - $850 (ins) = $93,150.

Duties: 6.5% + .125% + .21% = 6.835%

$93,150/1.06835 = $87,191

Anonymous said...

Wizard, Receiving word the national Pass rate is 6.9%. Can you confirm?

C said...

To Anonymous asking about the passing rate, where did you get that ? from? Thanks!

Anonymous said...

yes....very curious about the 6.9% pass rate! Where did you hear that from?

Anonymous said...

The 6.9% figure was given to me by a co-worker who also sat the exam. He had registered with an online prep course and received an Email on 10/20 from the site administrator to all participants informing them that the national pass rate was 6.9%. I had used the same course to prep for the last exam and received a similar Email afterwards informing me of that exams 11% pass. That was later confirmed as correct so I have no reason to doubt this information. The Email he received also stated that approximately 1,200 people sat this exam putting the number of people who passed nationally around 83.

Anonymous said...

Looks like results were sent out before posting the answers on cbp..strange! 71.25 again! I keep missing it by 3!

Anonymous said...

Has anyone looked at the test scanned in on the CBP website? Question #9 states "deleted" by the question.

Do you think that this was just a typo on CBP's part?

Karin said...

Wizard on Q9 Comment

The information you see concerning "deleted" is a function of "track changes" in the Word document. Apparently, someone forgot to clean up all of the changes that were made to the document before posting it. This does not mean Q9 was deleted.

Anonymous said...

Hi Wizard,

Has the official national pass rate been annouced? It doesn't look like many people will be protesting this exam.....there are not many discussions as there has been for past exams.

What's your opinion on this test compared to past exams?

Thanks for your help!

Karin said...

Wizard to Anonymous on Pass Rate

We heard that the pass rate was 6.9%.

The test was not easy; however, all but about three or four questions came directly from previous exams. The Wizard bets that the next test won't contain so many identical questions from previous exams.

Anonymous said...

Was anyone able to find any questions that were protestable for the October 2009 broker exam?