CBE Study Tip 7: How to Read the CBP Regulations

From the time we were children, most of us were taught to read a book from the beginning to the end or cover-to-cover, starting with the first page. When reading Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations “CBP Regulations” for the Customs Brokers Exam, you should break that rule. Yes, we really did suggest that you should not read the regulations from the beginning to the end, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read the entire book. The material contained in the regulations is very technical and often quite boring; therefore, it is not the kind of book you can read from cover-to-cover in a short time.

If you think this idea sounds crazy, pick up the book and read 19 CFR 4, containing approximately 45 pages. Only three questions from Part 4 have appeared on the last ten exams; that’s three questions in a total of 800 questions, which is less than 1% of the questions. This means you’ve just spent valuable time reading material that won’t likely be tested. On the other hand, 19 CFR 111, “Part 111” is one of the most frequently tested sections and it contains 15 pages. There have been 52 questions from Part 111 on the last ten exams which means approximately 6.5% of the questions on each exam come from Part 111. Not only will you be reading information that is important for the test, but also Part 111 provides requirements for customs brokers. Understanding the requirements for customs brokers is important for passing the exam and for persons who want to be brokers.

The CBP Regulations book is lengthy and often difficult to read and understand; however, it is important for importers, brokers, and other parties involved in international trade to have a good understanding of this book. There are numerous reasons for reading, understanding and applying the regulations. For purposes of the exam, knowledge of the regulations reduces time spent looking for answers on exam day. CBP employees and other members of the trade community might tell you that all of the sections are equally important. This is true, but for the purposes of the exam, some sections are not as significant because they are not as heavily tested.

The key to reading the regulations is to match your reading schedule with your study plan. In most situations, this means reading the sections that are most heavily tested first and saving the sections that are rarely tested for later. For example, Week 1 of your plan may require you to read Part 111- Brokers, Part 141 – Entry of Merchandise and Part 142 - Entry Process. These three parts are included in the top five sections that have been tested on the last ten exams and make up about 13% of the total questions on each exam.

Another strategy might be to read sections that are related to each other by a common theme. For example, Parts 18, 114, 127, 132, 143, 144 and 146 contain information about types of entries and alternatives to entry. There are various strategies for reading the regulations. Use what works best for your study plan, but use your time wisely and avoid reading the book from cover-to-cover.

We would like to offer some other suggestions related to reading the regulations. First, use "tabs" to mark each part of the regulations. Colored tabs can be used to indicate more important or frequently used parts. Using tabs also makes certain parts easier to find which can be a time saver during the exam. Second, highlight important facts, which can be used later for making outlines, flash cards or other study tools. Third, make notes in the margins to help you remember certain fact or provide examples that might not be included. Fourth, memorize the titles of each part and/or associate that title with something that will remind you of the information contained in that part.

Unfortunately, the regulations haven’t been made into a movie or a song, so there is no substitute for reading them. However, CD’s and MP3s discussing the regulations are available. Pop in the CD and you can study while in the car on the way to work!

We welcome your comments on these suggestions and encourage you to add your own ideas to this forum so that other students studying for the exam can benefit from your experiences.

Check the Boskage Trade News regularly for more helpful hints on studying for the Customs Broker Exam and other useful news for international trade professionals! We will discuss “How to Use the HTSUS” in the next study tip.

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 7: How to Read the CBP Regulations

From the time we were children, most of us were taught to read a book from the beginning to the end or cover-to-cover, starting with the first page. When reading Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations “CBP Regulations” for the Customs Brokers Exam, you should break that rule. Yes, we really did suggest that you should not read the regulations from the beginning to the end, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read the entire book. The material contained in the regulations is very technical and often quite boring; therefore, it is not the kind of book you can read from cover-to-cover in a short time.

If you think this idea sounds crazy, pick up the book and read 19 CFR 4, containing approximately 45 pages. Only three questions from Part 4 have appeared on the last ten exams; that’s three questions in a total of 800 questions, which is less than 1% of the questions. This means you’ve just spent valuable time reading material that won’t likely be tested. On the other hand, 19 CFR 111, “Part 111” is one of the most frequently tested sections and it contains 15 pages. There have been 52 questions from Part 111 on the last ten exams which means approximately 6.5% of the questions on each exam come from Part 111. Not only will you be reading information that is important for the test, but also Part 111 provides requirements for customs brokers. Understanding the requirements for customs brokers is important for passing the exam and for persons who want to be brokers.

The CBP Regulations book is lengthy and often difficult to read and understand; however, it is important for importers, brokers, and other parties involved in international trade to have a good understanding of this book. There are numerous reasons for reading, understanding and applying the regulations. For purposes of the exam, knowledge of the regulations reduces time spent looking for answers on exam day. CBP employees and other members of the trade community might tell you that all of the sections are equally important. This is true, but for the purposes of the exam, some sections are not as significant because they are not as heavily tested.

The key to reading the regulations is to match your reading schedule with your study plan. In most situations, this means reading the sections that are most heavily tested first and saving the sections that are rarely tested for later. For example, Week 1 of your plan may require you to read Part 111- Brokers, Part 141 – Entry of Merchandise and Part 142 - Entry Process. These three parts are included in the top five sections that have been tested on the last ten exams and make up about 13% of the total questions on each exam.

Another strategy might be to read sections that are related to each other by a common theme. For example, Parts 18, 114, 127, 132, 143, 144 and 146 contain information about types of entries and alternatives to entry. There are various strategies for reading the regulations. Use what works best for your study plan, but use your time wisely and avoid reading the book from cover-to-cover.

We would like to offer some other suggestions related to reading the regulations. First, use "tabs" to mark each part of the regulations. Colored tabs can be used to indicate more important or frequently used parts. Using tabs also makes certain parts easier to find which can be a time saver during the exam. Second, highlight important facts, which can be used later for making outlines, flash cards or other study tools. Third, make notes in the margins to help you remember certain fact or provide examples that might not be included. Fourth, memorize the titles of each part and/or associate that title with something that will remind you of the information contained in that part.

We welcome your comments on these suggestions and encourage you to add your own ideas to this forum so that other students studying for the exam can benefit from your experiences.

Check the Boskage Trade News regularly for more helpful hints on studying for the Customs Broker Exam and other useful news for international trade professionals! We will discuss “How to Use the HTSUS” in the next study tip.

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 7: How to Read the CBP Regulations

From the time we were children, most of us were taught to read a book from the beginning to the end or cover-to-cover, starting with the first page. When reading Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations “CBP Regulations” for the Customs Brokers Exam, you should break that rule. Yes, we really did suggest that you should not read the regulations from the beginning to the end, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read the entire book. The material contained in the regulations is very technical and often quite boring; therefore, it is not the kind of book you can read from cover-to-cover in a short time.

If you think this idea sounds crazy, pick up the book and read 19 CFR 4, containing approximately 45 pages. Only three questions from Part 4 have appeared on the last ten exams; that’s three questions in a total of 800 questions, which is less than 1% of the questions. This means you’ve just spent valuable time reading material that won’t likely be tested. On the other hand, 19 CFR 111, “Part 111” is one of the most frequently tested sections and it contains 15 pages. There have been 52 questions from Part 111 on the last ten exams which means approximately 6.5% of the questions on each exam come from Part 111. Not only will you be reading information that is important for the test, but Part 111 provides requirements for customs brokers. Understanding the requirements for customs brokers is important for passing the exam and for persons who want to be brokers.

The CBP Regulations book is lengthy and often difficult to read and understand; however, it is important for importers, brokers, and other parties involved in international trade to have a good understanding of this book. There are numerous reasons for reading, understanding and applying the regulations. For purposes of the exam, knowledge of the regulations reduces time spent looking for answers on exam day. CBP employees and other members of the trade community might tell you that all of the sections are equally important. This is true, but for the purposes of the exam, some sections are not as significant because they are not as heavily tested.

The key to reading the regulations is to match your reading schedule with your study plan. In most situations, this means reading the sections that are most heavily tested first and saving the sections that are rarely tested for later. For example, Week 1 of your plan may require you to read Part 111- Brokers, Part 141 – Entry of Merchandise and Part 142 - Entry Process. These three parts are included in the top five sections that have been tested on the last ten exams and make up about 13% of the total questions on each exam.

Another strategy might be to read sections that are related to each other by a common theme. For example, Parts 18, 114, 127, 132, 143, 144 and 146 contain information about types of entries and alternatives to entry. There are various strategies for reading the regulations. Use what works best for your study plan, but use your time wisely and avoid reading the book from cover-to-cover.We would like to offer some other suggestions related to reading the regulations. First, use "tabs" to mark each part of the regulations. Colored tabs can be used to indicate more important or frequently used parts. Using tabs also makes certain parts easier to find which can be a time saver during the exam. Second, highlight important facts, which can be used later for making outlines, flash cards or other study tools. Third, make notes in the margins to help you remember certain fact or provide examples that might not be included. Fourth, memorize the titles of each part and/or associate that title with something that will remind you of the information contained in that part.

We welcome your comments on these suggestions and encourage you to add your own ideas to this forum so that other students studying for the exam can benefit from your experiences.

Check the Boskage Trade News regularly for more helpful hints on studying for the Customs Broker Exam and other useful news for international trade professionals! We will discuss “How to Use the HTSUS” in the next study tip.

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 7: How to Read the CBP Regulations

From the time we were children most of us were taught to read a book from the beginning to the end or cover-to-cover, starting with the first page. When reading Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations “CBP Regulations” for the Customs Brokers Exam, you should break that rule. Yes, we really did suggest that you should not read the regulations from the beginning to the end, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read the entire book. The material contained in the regulations is very technical and often quite boring; therefore, it is not the kind of book you can read from cover-to-cover in a short time.

If you think this idea sounds odd, pick up the book and read Part 4, containing approximately 45 pages. Only two questions from Part 4 have appeared on the last ten exams; that’s two questions in a total of 800 questions, which is less than 1% of the questions. This means you’ve just spent valuable time reading material that won’t likely be on the test. On the other hand, Part 111 is one of the most frequently tested sections and it contains 15 pages. There have been 57 questions from Part 111 on the last ten exams which means approximately 7.1% of the questions on each exam come from Part 111. Not only will you be reading information that is important for the test, but Part 111 provides requirements for customs brokers. Understanding the requirements for customs brokers is important for passing the exam and for persons who want to be brokers.

The CBP Regulations book is lengthy and often difficult to read and understand; however, it is important for importers, brokers, and other parties involved in international trade to have a good understanding of this book. There are numerous reasons for reading, understanding and applying the regulations. For purposes of the exam, knowledge of the regulations reduces time spent looking for answers on exam day. CBP employees and other members of the trade community might tell you that all of the sections are equally important. This is true, but for the purposes of the exam, some sections are not as significant because they are not as heavily tested.

The key to reading the regulations is to match your reading schedule with your study plan. In most situations, this means reading the sections that are most heavily tested first and saving the sections that are rarely tested for later. For example, Week 1 of your plan may require you to read Part 111- Brokers, Part 141 – Entry of Merchandise and Part 142 - Entry Process. These three parts are included in the top five sections that have been tested on the last ten exams and make up about 16% of the total questions on each exam.

Another strategy might be to read sections that are related to each other by a common theme. For example, Parts 18, 114, 127, 132, 143, 144 and 146 contain information about types of entries and alternatives to entry. There are various strategies for reading the regulations. Use what works best for your study plan, but use your time wisely and avoid reading the book from cover-to-cover.

We would like to offer some other suggestions related to reading the regulations. First, use "tabs" to mark each part of the regulations. Colored tabs can be used to indicate more important or frequently used parts. Using tabs also makes certain parts easier to find which can be a time saver during the exam. Second, highlight important facts, which can be used later for making outlines, flash cards or other study tools. Third, make notes in the margins to help you remember certain fact or provide examples that might not be included. Fourth, memorize the titles of each part and/or associate that title with something that will remind you of the information contained in that part.

We welcome your comments on these suggestions and encourage you to add your own ideas to this forum so that other students studying for the exam can benefit from your experiences.

Check the Boskage Trade News regularly for more helpful hints on studying for the Customs Broker Exam and other useful news for international trade professionals! We will discuss “How to Use the HTSUS” in the next study tip.

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 7: How to Read the CBP Regulations

From the time we were children, most of us were taught to read a book sequentially, from the first page to the last. When reading Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CBP Regulations) for the Customs Brokers Exam, you should break that rule. Yes, we really did suggest that you should not read the regulations from the beginning to the end, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read the entire book. The material contained in the regulations is very technical and often quite boring; therefore, it is not the kind of book you can read from cover-to-cover in a short time.

If you think this idea sounds crazy, pick up the book and read Part 4, containing approximately 45 pages. Only two questions from Part 4 have appeared on the last ten exams; that’s two questions in a total of 800 questions, which is less than 1% of the questions. This means you’ve just spent valuable time reading material that won’t likely be tested. On the other hand, Part 111 is one of the most frequently tested sections and it contains 15 pages. There have been 57 questions from Part 111 on the last ten exams, which means approximately 7.1% of the questions on each exam come from Part 111. Not only will you be reading information that is important for the test, but Part 111 provides requirements for customs brokers. Understanding the requirements for customs brokers is important for passing the exam and for persons who want to be brokers.

The CBP Regulations is a lengthy book, and often is difficult to read and understand; however, it is important for importers, brokers, and other parties involved in international trade to have a good understanding of this book. There are numerous reasons for reading, understanding and applying the regulations. For purposes of the exam, knowledge of the regulations reduces time spent looking for answers on exam day. CBP employees and other members of the trade community might tell you that all of the sections are equally important. This is true, but for the purposes of the exam, some sections are not as significant because they are not as heavily tested.

The key to reading the regulations is to match your reading schedule with your study plan. In most situations, this means reading the sections that are most heavily tested first and saving the sections that are rarely tested for later. For example, Week 1 of your plan may require you to read Part 111- Brokers, Part 141 – Entry of Merchandise and Part 142 - Entry Process. These three parts are included in the top five sections that have been tested on the last ten exams and make up about 16% of the total questions on each exam.

Another strategy might be to read sections that are related to each other by a common theme. For example, Parts 18, 114, 127, 132, 143, 144 and 146 contain information about types of entries and alternatives to entry. There are various strategies for reading the regulations. Use what works best for your study plan, but use your time wisely and avoid reading the book from cover-to-cover.

We would like to offer some other suggestions related to reading the regulations. First, use "tabs" to mark each part of the regulations. Colored tabs can be used to indicate more important or frequently used parts. Using tabs also makes certain parts easier to find which can be a time saver during the exam. Second, highlight important facts, which can be used later for making outlines, flash cards or other study tools. Third, make notes in the margins to help you remember certain fact or provide examples that might not be included. Fourth, memorize the titles of each part and/or associate that title with something that will remind you of the information contained in that part.

We welcome your comments on these suggestions and encourage you to add your own ideas to this forum so that other students studying for the exam can benefit from your experiences.

Check the Boskage Trade News regularly for more helpful hints on studying for the Customs Broker Exam and other useful news for international trade professionals! We will discuss “How to Use the HTSUS” in the next study tip.

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 4: How to Read the CFR

From the time we were children most of us were taught to read a book from the beginning to the end or cover-to-cover, starting with the first page. When reading Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations for the Customs Brokers Exam, you should break that rule. Yes, we really did suggest that you should not read the regulations from the beginning to the end, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t read the entire book. The material contained in the regulations is very technical and often quite boring; therefore, it is not the kind of book you can read from cover to cover in a short time.

If you think this idea sounds crazy, pick up the book and read Part 4, containing approximately 45 pages. Only one question from Part 4 has appeared on the last ten exams; that’s one question in a total of 800 questions, which is less than 1% of the questions. This means you’ve just spent valuable time reading material that won’t likely be tested. On the other hand, Part 111 is one of the most frequently tested sections and it contains 15 pages. There have been 59 questions from Part 111 on the last ten exams which means approximately 7.4% of the questions on each exam come from Part 111. Not only will you be reading information that is important for the test, but Part 111 provides requirements for customs brokers. Understanding the requirements for customs brokers is important for passing the exam and for persons who want to be brokers.

The book is lengthy and often difficult to read and understand; however, it is important for importers, brokers, and other parties involved in international trade to have a good understanding of the CBP Regulations. There are numerous reasons for reading, understanding and applying the regulations. For purposes of the exam, knowledge of the regulations reduces time spent looking for answers on exam day. CBP employees and other members of the trade community might tell you that all of the sections are equally important. This is true, but for the purposes of the exam, some sections are not as significant because they are not as heavily tested.

The key to reading the regulations is to match your reading schedule with your study plan. In most situations, this means reading the sections that are most heavily tested first and saving the sections that are rarely tested for later. For example, Week 1 of your plan may require you to read Part 111- Brokers, Part 141 – Entry of Merchandise and Part 142 - Entry Process. These three parts are included in the top five sections that have been tested on the last ten exams and make up about 16% of the total questions on each exam.

Another strategy might be to read sections that are related to each other by a common theme. For example, Parts 18, 114, 127, 132, 143, 144 and 146 contain information about types of entries and alternatives to entry. There are various strategies for reading the regulations. Use what works best for your study plan, but use your time wisely and avoid reading the book from cover-to-cover.

We would like to offer some other suggestions related to reading the regulations. First, use "tabs" to mark each part of the regulations. Colored tabs can be used to indicate more important or frequently used parts. Using tabs also makes certain parts easier to find which can be a time saver during the exam. Second, highlight important facts, which can be used later for making outlines, flash cards or other study tools. Third, make notes in the margins to help you remember certain fact or provide examples that might not be included. Fourth, memorize the titles of each part and/or associate that title with something that will remind you of the information contained in that part.

As always, we welcome your comments on these suggestions and encourage you to add your own ideas to this forum so that other students studying for the exam can benefit from your experiences.

Last Chance To Apply For The April Exam!

The deadline for filing applications to take the April exam is just a few days away. If you are planning to take the April Broker License Exam, don’t let this important deadline pass! All exam applications and the exam fees of $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 Friday, March 7, 2008. Applications received after Friday, March 7, 2008 will not be accepted- NO EXCEPTIONS.

Click to print your application. Fill it out and take it over to your local CBP office today! If you are not close to an office, send it by express courier, today!

Don’t wait or it will be too late!

Customs Broker Exam Study Tip 2: Time Management

Now that your study materials and workspace are organized, it is time to discuss time management. Students often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information to be learned in order to pass the exam. Some people feel like they do not have enough time to do all they want to do, so finding additional time to study for the Customs Broker Exam seems like an impossible task.

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to have a natural ability to get things done without appearing stressed out, while others are often late in completing tasks and appear to be rushed all of the time? Have you ever thought that certain people accomplish more because they don’t have to work full time, or they don’t have children or they have more money? Even if those reasons were true, it doesn’t change the fact that everyone has the same amount of time each day. The difference is in how you choose to use your time. Time cannot be bought or saved. Once time is gone, you cannot get it back. Your ability to pass the exam as well as accomplish other goals begins with how you manage your time.

What are some of the causes of time management problems? Three of the most important causes of problems related to time management are procrastination, poor planning and wasting time.

Procrastination is a tendency to avoid a harder or less pleasant task in favor of doing an easier one. Procrastination often results in added stress due to missed deadlines or last minute preparation to meet a deadline. No one needs or wants additional stress and stress is not good for our health. Visualize what will happen if you procrastinate by putting of studying for the exam. Do you see success or failure? Procrastination is not an option when you visualize success!

Poor planning is another culprit that sabotages achievement of success. You must prioritize and create schedules to accomplish the tasks necessary to accomplish your goals. Once you make up our mind to take the exam, you must create a study plan and make it a priority. Of course, most aspiring brokers have full time jobs and personal obligations; however, by creating a plan and schedule that allots specific time for study, you can ensure success by following that schedule. You can’t expect to pass the exam unless you make the effort.

Wasting time is one of the biggest problems exam students face. When too much time is spent doing things that are unproductive, you rob yourself of valuable time that could be spent studying for the exam. It may not be the activity itself that is unproductive, but the amount of time spent doing the activity that creates the problem. If you like watching television, watching one favorite show is not unproductive because it provides relaxation and a sense of well-being. However, watching several hours of television to avoid studying is unproductive. Playing a game on the computer for 15 minutes is not necessarily unproductive because it provides a break from the routine that gives your mind a rest. However, playing computer games for hours robs you of time that could have been spent studying.

What can you do to improve time management in order to pass the Customs Broker’s Exam?
The tools and methods adopted to manage time wisely will largely depend on the amount of individual’s experience with issues covered on the exam, learning styles, ability to grasp and retain new information, work schedule and other personal issues. We have provided a few suggestions below. At the end of this article, you can comment on these and provide some ideas of your own.

· Create a Calendar
Your calendar should allocate time for work, study, exercise, meals, family and personal time. Set a regular time for study. You may want to check off the items completed each day and keep track of time spent on each task.

· Identify Priorities
Prioritize tasks and create a “To Do” List. Compete the most important tasks first. If not all tasks are completed, putting off the least unimportant task isn't procrastination, it's probably good prioritization.

· Learn to Say “NO”
Explain to people that you must study to pass the test and you will be available in a few weeks. Six to eight weeks of intense study is a small commitment of time when you think about the rewards of passing the exam and the amount of free time you will have when you no longer need to study.

· Make Time For Family
Set aside special time for family each week. Remember, quality over quantity. Your family will appreciate the time you spend with them and be more understanding of your need to study when you devote special time for them.

· Set Aside Time for Exercise
Regular exercise reduces stress and promotes good health. Exercise can provide a welcome break from your studies by giving your mind a chance to relax and think of something else. Your choice of exercise can be anything from gardening, walking around the block to a game of softball or a workout at the gym.

· Limit Unproductive Activities
Reduce the amount of time spent on the phone, watching television, reading email, playing computer games, etc. There will be plenty of time for these activities when you finish the exam. Take the necessary phone calls, but do not use the phone as an excuse for not studying.

· Make Good Use of Unproductive Time

1. Waiting
At one time or another, you will find yourself waiting for something. The wait may be at the doctor’s office or at an airport. Anticipate circumstances that are likely to create unavoidable delays and be sure to have your notes handy. You can make great use of that time to study. Instead of being upset because you were stuck in the airport for two hours because your plane was late, you can be excited that you were able to devote two more hours to your studies.

2. Commute
Whether it’s by train or car, most people have some type of commute to work. Use the commute time to listen tothe audio lectures on CD. Turn that hour spent in a traffic jam into productive study time.

3. Lunch
Do you really need an hour to eat lunch? Consider devoting three of your lunch breaks each week to study. Treat yourself to a nice lunch out at the end of the week.


· Reward Yourself
Set daily, weekly and monthly goals. When you have achieved a goal, reward yourself. It may be as small as allowing yourself 30 minutes of television or spending 30 minutes playing a video game to something more significant such as a vacation or cruise after receiving news you passed the exam.

We welcome your comments on these suggestions and encourage you to add your own ideas to this forum so that other students studying for the exam can benefit from your experiences.

CBP Posts October Exam Answers

After weeks of waiting, the answers for the October Customs Brokers Exam have been mailed to the anxious examinees and posted to the CBP website for the public. First, we want to congratulate all of you who passed! We would like to hear your comments about how you studied, what worked best for you and any other comments about the exam. Next, we want you to know that there appear to be some typographical errors related to references on the Exam Key dated November 13, 2007. Click here to view the correct references.

We were not surprised that questions were thrown out, but it was a little surprising that four questions were eliminated. Congratulations, everyone automatically answered four questions correctly and earned five free percentage points (4 x 1.25). Now all you need is 70 points, which equates to answering 56 questions correctly.

So what if you only answered 54 or 55 questions correctly? Should you give up and say “maybe next time?” No! Look at the answers to see if there are any questions that could be protested. You haven’t lost anything by protesting a question, but with the right protest, you may go from failing to passing and obtaining your license.

We have analyzed the questions and answers and found five questions that we believe could be subject to protest. Those questions are 19, 21, 42, 45 and 47. Click here to see the comments about Question 45. In future postings to the blog we will provide additional information about these potential protest questions. We welcome your comments and suggestions on these questions and any others you think might be subject to protest. Remember, you haven’t lost anything by filing a protest and you may save yourself the time and money necessary to take the test again.

Potential Answers for the October 2007 Customs Broker's Exam

As many people sit on pins and needles waiting to see the answers posted for the most recent Customs Broker’s Exam, our very own Wizard has taken the exam and provided a list of possible answers and related regulations where the answers were found. We never know when CBP will post the answers and the wait feels like forever. The answers for the April 2007 Exam were not posted until the middle of June leaving many people little time protest questions and receive answers prior to the October exam.

We invite you to post your answers, explanations, arguments and other comments. Obviously, Boskage Commerce Publications cannot guarantee the accuracy of these answers since CBP has the one and only answer key, but the Wizard has an excellent record of achieving a score of better than 90%.

Click HERE to view a copy of the Wizard’s answers for the October 2007 Exam!

Note: The Wizard had the most difficulty answering the questions highlighted in purple.

Pack Your Bags: The Exam Materials Checklist

With the exam less than a week a way, it’s time to start thinking about what to pack for the exam. You will be using most of these materials up until the day before the exam, so it’s impossible to pack them too much in advance of the actual test. However, you can use the practical checklist we’ve created to make sure that you have everything on the list packed in your heavy-duty tote bag, large cardboard box or other container the night before the exam. If you are like most people, you may be a little nervous prior to the exam so you don’t want to run the risk of forgetting something important or being late because you couldn’t find your calculator, pens or other materials. Packing everything on your checklist the night before will help you relax and reduce unnecessary stress.

Click on the link below to view and print your Customs Brokers License Exam Materials Checklist. You can customize this list to add specific items that you plan take to the exam. No matter what you plan to take, make sure to use the checklist to ensure you have each item packed and ready to go the night before the exam. Remember, electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones are prohibited.

The Exam Materials Checklist.

April Exam: Harder Than October?

Over the years, stories about the Customs Broker Exam have circulated within the international trade community to the point that people cannot tell whether the stories are fact or fiction. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to verify the validity of these stories. We thought it would be nice to share a common exam rumor that we have heard over the years and provide some useful statistics that may help clarify this story. We'll start with a comment that was posted to this blog in August.

Comment: The October exam is always easier than the April exam.

If the October exam were always easier than the April exam, no one would take the April exam. Let's take a look at some statistics based on previous exams. We've posted the exam pass rates on two different charts below. Chart 1 shows the pass rates for each exam for the last 20 years, starting in 1987. In 20 years, there were 12 years in which the October exam had a higher pass rate than the April exam. This equates to a pass rate being higher on the October exam 60% of the time. Chart 2 shows the pass rates for the last five years. In five years, there were three years where the October exam pass rate was higher than the April exam. Again, we have a higher pass rate on the October exam 60% of the time. A percentage of 60% is not significant enough to substantiate a claim that the October exam is always easier than the April exam. One could also state that the October exam is more difficult than the April exam 40% of the time.

Pass Rate Data: Chart 1
Pass Rate Data: Chart 2

But that doesn't tell the whole story. If you look at the average pass rate over that span, you'll find the following statistics:

April: Average pass rate - 22.7%

October: Average pass rate - 25.75%

Thus, we can see that over the past 20 years, the variance between April and October's average pass rates is just 3% - a negligible variance.

Another important consideration is the ever-changing structure of the test. When evaluating the difficulty of a test and comparing the pass rates, it is important to compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges. Changes made in the structure of the exam may account for changes in the degree of difficulty and therefore affect the pass the rate.

Let's take a look at some historical information about how the structure of the exam has changed over the years:


April 1987 - April 1997 Changes
100 Multiple Choice Questions
4.5 Hours
References: HTSUS and Customs Regulations


October 1997 Changes
85 Multiple Choice Questions



April 1998 Changes
80 Multiple Choice Questions
4 Hours


April 2005 Changes

References: HTSUS, Customs Regulations, CATAIR and Directives
Exam Questions Arranged by Subject

April 2006 Changes

References: Other documents added

As you can see from this list, the number of questions, structure, references and time allowed have all changed in the last 20 years. While the multiple-choice format has stayed the same, the references allowed and number of questions have changed significantly. All of these changes could potentially affect the pass rate. Thus, comparing the results of an exam given in 1987 to the pass rate of an exam given in 2006 might not provide the most accurate conclusions.

So, with that in mind, let's look at the average pass rates since April 1998 - the last major structural change to the exam.

April: Average pass rate - 19.0%

October: Average pass rate - 19.9%

So, when examining the statistics, we can see that the facts do not substantiate the claim that the April exam is always more difficult. In fact, when taken over the last 9 years, the average pass rates between the two months is almost identical.

Have you heard a good story about the Customs Broker Exam? We invite you to share some of the stories you've heard and comment on others that have been posted.

Notice to Students Taking the October Exam

Typically, the October Customs Broker License Exam uses the Customs Regulations (19 CFR Chapter I) from the previous year. However, this year, Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has made the unexpected decision to test this year's editions.

Because of this, we've created a special supplement to the 2006 Special Study Edition of the U.S. Customs Regulations. You can use it to make your book up-to-date as of April 2007, in accordance with the recommendations of Customs & Border Protection for the purposes of the October 2007 Licensure Exam. For your convenience, this supplement is printed on brightly colored paper, and the updated sections on each page have been indicated by a box around the affected text.

If you ordered the 2006 Special Study Edition from Boskage as part of the exam reference package for the October exam, you will automatically receive this supplement free of cost. Anyone else interested in updating their 2006 Study Edition should contact us for more information.

Tips for Answering Classification Questions on the Customs Broker Exam

With the October exam just a few weeks away, there are lots of aspiring broker applicants working hard to learn as much as possible. While there is no substitute for studying the Customs Regulations and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, we’ve come up with a few helpful strategies that might make your studies easier. Our first tip involves a method of answering classification questions on the exam.

While the rules for classification are the same, the approach to classification on the exam is a little different from the approach importers and brokers use when classifying their products. Why? Classification questions on the Customs Broker Exam are designed to encourage a high level of attention to the details, and you have a limited time to answer them. Additionally, the correct classification is provided on the Customs Brokers Exam and all you have to do is select the right one. In reality, importers and brokers are not provided with five options from which they can select the correct answer, thus the process is a little more complicated. Understanding the information provided in the question is the key to being able to select the correct answer. To make sure you don't miss any information, try this technique when classifying questions on the exam.

Step 1: Make a list of the information provided in the question. Making a list should help you remember all of the components and reduce the tendency to focus on one or two of the components listed in the question.

Step 2: Skim section and chapter notes for specific exclusions. The Section and Chapter Notes often provide information that specifically includes or excludes a product from a certain provision. Customs often tests the applicant’s classification knowledge by asking questions that will require consulting these notes.

Step 3: Eliminate obvious incorrect answers. Once you have a list of key components and look up the classifications provided, you will be able to eliminate some of the answer selections easily. The selections can normally be narrowed down to two.

Note: Steps 2 and 3 may be used together. Sometimes you can eliminate answers without consulting the chapter notes, but in other situations, you may need to consult the chapter notes in order to eliminate answers.

Step 4: Select the best classification. If you’ve followed these steps, the correct classification should be clear. At worst, you should have narrowed the selection down to two possible answers. Make sure you haven’t overlooked a note and select the best answer. You can always come back and review this question if you have time at the end of the exam.


HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR PRACTICE.


Example 1

What is the classification of a woven nylon scarf measuring 55 cm x 50 cm?

A. 6214.30.0000
B. 6214.40.0000
C. 6213.90.1000
D. 6117.10.2030
E. 6117.10.6020


Step 1: Make a list of the key information about the item to be classified.

1. Woven
2. Nylon
3. Scarf
4. 55 cm x 50 cm

Note: In this example, we were able to easily eliminate two obvious incorrect answers before reading the notes.

Step 2: Eliminate obvious incorrect answers

1. We can eliminate Answers D and E because Chapter 61 covers knit articles.

2. Answer B is incorrect because nylon is a synthetic fiber. If you didn’t know nylon was a synthetic fiber, you might have difficulty eliminating this one. Now you know why it’s a good reason to bring a dictionary with you! If you look up “nylon” in the Alphabetical Index, you’ll find it refers you to “synthetic fibers.”

3. It would appear that Answer A is the correct answer for our scarf since the provision provides for scarves and Answer C provides for handkerchiefs; however, it would be a mistake to quit here without reading the Chapter Notes.

Step 3: Skim section and chapter notes for specific exclusions. Chapter 62 Note 7 states that scarves that measure less than 60 cm should be classified as handkerchiefs under 6213. Since the scarves in the question are under 60 cm, then Answer A is incorrect.

Step 4: Select the best classification. We have eliminated all of the answers except C, which is the best answer for this question.




Example 2

What is the classification for baby girls' cotton dresses woven (not knitted) of 100% cotton for babies with a height of 96 cms?

A. 6209.20.1000
B. 6204.42.3060
C. 6204.49.5010
D. 6204.42.3020
E. 6204.42.2000

Step 1: Make a list of the key information about the item to be classified.

1. Baby girl's dress


2. Woven


3. 100% cotton


4. Babies Height 96 cm

Step 2: Eliminate obvious incorrect answers

1. Answer C is incorrect because the provision is for "other" materials and our dress is cotton which has its own provision.

2. Answer D is incorrect because the provision is for corduroy and our dress was not described as such.

3. Answer E is incorrect because our dress is 100% cotton and does not contain flax.

If we were in a hurry, it would be tempting to select Answer A that provides for babies clothing of cotton, right? What about the height? Just because a garment may be described as a dress for baby girls doesn’t mean it is classified as a babies’ garment.


Step 3: Skim section and chapter notes for specific exclusions. Chapter 62 Note 4a states that babies’ garments are for babies with a height not over 86 cm. Our dress is for a baby of 96 cm; therefore, it will not be classified as a baby's dress even though we call it a baby dress and it is for a baby. Answer A is incorrect because the provision is for babies.

Step 4: Select the best classification. Answer B is correct because the provision is for a girl’s dress of cotton.



Example 3

What is the classification for peaches preserved in syrup, packed in retail containers each holding less than 1.4 kg, and entered on July 31?

A. 0809.30.2000
B. 0811.90.8080
C. 0812.90.9000
D. 2008.70.1020
E. 2008.70.2020


Step 1: Make a list of the key information about the item to be classified.

1. Peaches
2. Preserved in syrup
3. Packed in retail containers <> 8 or 20.



Step 3: Eliminate obvious incorrect answers

1. Answer A is incorrect because preserved peaches are no longer fresh.



2. Answer B is incorrect because these peaches are not frozen.



3. Answer C is incorrect because these peaches are suitable for consumption.



4. Answer D is incorrect because the product is described as peaches and not nectarines.


Step 4: Select the best classification. Since we have eliminated four of the five selections, the remaining answer should be the correct one. This HTS 2008.70.2020 provides for peaches that are otherwise prepared or preserved in containers less than 1.4 kg., which matches our description.

Note: Sometimes Customs adds facts to the question that are irrelevant in arriving at the answer. Notice that the entry date of July 31 is irrelevant to the correct answer in this example. You should list all of the elements provided, but remember that some of the elements may be irrelevant.



Let us know what you think. If you have another method that works for you, please share it with us!

Last Chance To Apply For The October Exam!

The deadline for filing applications to take the October exam is just a few days away. If you are planning to take the October Customs Broker License Exam, don’t let this important deadline pass! All exam applications and the exam fees of $200 must be received and accepted by CBP at the service port (see the link on the right sidebar for a listing of ports) where the applicant intends to take the examination on or before the close of business Friday, August 31, 2007. Applications received after Friday, August 31, 2007 will not be accepted- NO EXCEPTIONS.

Click here (PDF) to print your application. Fill it out and take it over to your local CBP office today! If you aren’t close to an office, send it by express courier, today!

Don’t wait or it will be too late!

Customs Broker License Exam - Deadline and Notice of Examination

Attention all broker exam students.

Here are two items that you'll want to be aware of as you prepare for the October Exam.

1) The Notice of Examination has been posted. Click here to view the full notice of exam, including the official list of the editions and texts to be tested.

There are two main changes from the April 2007 Exam. These are: a) the addition of a short document titled Submission Changes for Supplemental Information Letters and Post Entry Amendments; and b) the use of of the April 2007 edition of the U.S. Customs Regulations (19 CFR, Ch. 1).

Many of you have purchased our October 2007 Exam Reference Package, which included the 2006 edition. If you purchased the Exam Reference Package, you are in luck! We are developing an update right now that will get your 2006 edition up-to-date and exam-ready. We'll have it sent to you in the next couple of weeks, automatically, at no extra charge.

If you did not purchase the Exam Reference Package from us, you are STILL in luck! We'll make the update pages available as a free printable download online. Watch this blog for notification of availability.

2) The deadline for application is approaching! You'll want to have your application and fee in to the Customs Service Port at which you intend to take the Exam no less than 30 days before the Exam. For the October 1, 2007 Exam, that date is August 31. Here's the statement on CBP's website:

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, August 31, 2007 to be considered. Applications received by CBP after COB Friday, August 31, 2007 will not be accepted- NO EXCEPTIONS. Applications and fees submitted to CBP Headquarters will be returned.


Click here to view the Notice of Exam.
Click here to view and print the Rules for the Exam.
Click here to print an Exam Application.
Click here to view and print Submission Changes for Supplemental Information Letters and Post Entry Amendments
Click here for a listing of Customs Service Ports


Click here for information on the Exam Reference Package
Click here for information on our Exam Preparation Courses