Title 19 CFR · 11 questions in the bank
19 CFR Part 163 — Recordkeeping
Every released customs broker license exam question in the CBLEsim bank that tests 19 CFR Part 163. Drawn from 6 released sittings, April 2019 through October 2025.
Sections of this part with their own question sets
- 19 CFR 163.4 — 5 questions
Other questions from Part 163
April 2019, Q7. Which of the following is a TRUE statement regarding record-keeping responsibilities?
- AOwners, importers, and brokers are responsible for keeping records for 5 years.
- BImporters of record and entry filers must keep records for 6 years according to the statute of limitations.
- CTravelers who clear Customs at a port of entry with a written declaration of baggage must retain that record for 5 years.
- DA consignee who is not the owner of the merchandise entered on an informal entry by a broker must retain that record for 5 years.
- EA consignee who is not the owner of the merchandise entered on an informal entry by a broker must retain that record for 2 years.
Show the answer and explanation
Option A is correct because 19 CFR 163.2(a) mandates that owners, importers, and brokers maintain records, and the cited authority includes 19 CFR 163.4(b)(3), which specifies a 5-year retention period for certain records (e.g., Kimberley Process certificates), implying a general 5-year standard for recordkeeping unless otherwise stated. Option E is correct because 19 CFR 163.2(e) excludes travelers from recordkeeping obligations after clearing customs, but the consignee’s responsibility in E is not explicitly addressed in the text. However, the CBP key accepts E, suggesting that the 2-year retention period may apply to non-owners in informal entries under a rule not detailed in the cited authority. Other options are incorrect because 19 CFR 163.2(a) does not specify a 6-year period (B), and 19 CFR 163.2(e) does not require travelers to retain baggage records (C). Option D is incorrect because the text does not mention a 5-year retention period for non-owners in informal entries.
CBP credited more than one answer for this question: A, E.
April 2025, Q2. A customs broker recently imported merchandise into the customs territory of the United States and transmitted the entry records for this merchandise to CBP. If copies of these entry records are retained by CBP, which of the following statements is TRUE?
- ACBP maintains the copies and the customs broker does not need to retain their own copies of the submitted records.
- BThe customs broker is required to maintain copies of the submitted records.
- CThe customs broker is required to request the return of the submitted records from CBP.
- DCBP will notify the customs broker when they can destroy their copies of the submitted records.
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is B because 19 CFR 163.2(d) explicitly requires customs brokers to maintain records as mandated by part 111 of the regulations, regardless of whether CBP retains copies. The broker’s obligation to retain records is separate from CBP’s retention and is not waived by CBP’s actions. Option A is incorrect because the broker must retain copies even if CBP maintains them, as required by 19 CFR 163.2(d). Option C is unsupported because the text does not mention requesting return of records. Option D is incorrect because the cited authority does not state that CBP notifies brokers about destroying records.
May 2024, Q5. A duly licensed customs broker plans to switch from keeping paper records of documents created in the course of conducting customs business to keeping digital records electronically. These documents are not required to be maintained as original paper records under laws and regulations administered by other Federal Government agencies. From whom must the broker receive permission to switch the method of storage and within what time frame?
- ARegulatory Audit, Charlotte, North Carolina; at least 30 calendar days before implementing the alternative storage method
- BThe Executive Director, Office of Trade, CBP Headquarters; no more than 30 calendar days after implementation of the alternative storage method
- CBroker Management Branch, CBP Headquarters; at least 60 calendar days before implementation of the alternative storage method
- DThe Executive Director, Trade Regulatory Audit, CBP Headquarters; no more than 15 calendar days after implementation of the alternative storage method
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is A because 19 CFR 163.5(b) explicitly requires advance written notification to the Regulatory Audit, Charlotte, North Carolina, at least 30 calendar days before implementing an alternative storage method. This matches the time frame and authority specified in option A. Other options are incorrect because they reference incorrect offices (e.g., Executive Director, Office of Trade, or Broker Management Branch) or time frames (e.g., 60 or 15 days) that are not stated in the cited regulation. The regulation does not authorize CBP headquarters offices or shorter notice periods for this specific requirement.
October 2018, Q54. When may a $10,000 recordkeeping penalty be assessed?
- AWhen the broker has been involved in larceny, theft, robbery, extortion, forgery, counterfeiting fraudulent concealment, embezzlement, or misappropriation of funds
- BWhen the failure to comply with a CBP records request is a result of negligence in maintaining, storing, or retrieving the demanded record
- CWhen the failure to comply with a CBP records request is a result of an Act of God
- DWhen the entry is not filed within 10 days of importation
- EWhen the broker does not maintain the record of the POA on a corporation for 5 years after the date of written separation
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is B because 19 CFR 163.6(b)(ii) explicitly states that a $10,000 penalty applies when a failure to comply with a CBP records request results from negligence in maintaining, storing, or retrieving the record. This directly matches the wording of option B. Option A is unrelated to recordkeeping penalties and instead references criminal acts, which are not addressed in the cited text. Option C is incorrect because the rule does not excuse penalties for acts of God; the text only mentions negligence or willful failure as bases for penalties. Option D refers to entry filing deadlines, not record production, and is not covered by the cited authority. Option E concerns retention periods for power of attorney records, which are not discussed in the cited authority.
October 2024, Q7. A duly licensed customs broker was named in and properly served a U.S CBP summons signed by a Center Director. The summons requires the broker to provide CBP with documentation for 10 entries the broker filed on behalf of Company Z within the last three years so as to help CBP ascertain the correctness of the 10 entries. The broker terminated Company Z as a client 10 months before the summons’ issuance and the POA was revoked. Company Z has not provided the broker with specific written instructions regarding responding to a summons within its now revoked power of attorney document. How must the broker respond to the Customs’ summons?
- AProvide CBP with the entry files requested because the broker is legally obligated to make such records available to CBP.
- BReturn the summons to CBP because it must be signed by an auditor or special agent to be legally effective.
- CForward the summons to Company Z and notify the Center Director that it has been forwarded to the party obligated to respond to the summons.
- DNo response to the summons is required because the record retention period for Company Z's entry filed expired upon the termination of the broker-client relationship.
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is A because 19 CFR 163.7(a)(4) explicitly requires any person who filed a declaration, entry, or drawback claim with Customs to produce records upon a valid summons, regardless of the current status of the broker-client relationship. The broker’s legal obligation stems from their role in filing the entries, not from the revocation of the power of attorney. Option B is incorrect because 19 CFR 163.7(a) permits a Center Director to issue a valid summons, not requiring an auditor or special agent. Option C is incorrect because the broker, not Company Z, is the person who filed the entries and thus bears the obligation to respond. Option D is incorrect because the regulation does not mention record retention periods expiring upon termination of a relationship; the duty to produce records is tied to the act of filing, not the duration of the relationship.
October 2025, Q11. Which of the following parties is required to maintain records and render them for examination and inspection by CBP?
- AA consumer who purchases an imported automobile from a domestic dealer.
- BA traveler who has made an oral declaration of non-commercial goods under the traveler's personal exemption.
- CA person who knowingly causes the importation of merchandise carried under bond into the United States.
- DA consumer who unknowingly purchases imported goods from a local store.
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is C because 19 CFR 163.2(a)(1)(ii) explicitly requires any person who "knowingly causes the importation or transportation or storage of merchandise carried or held under bond" to maintain records for CBP examination. This directly applies to option C, which involves a party knowingly causing importation under bond. Option A is incorrect because a consumer purchasing from a dealer is not a party "knowingly causing" importation, as clarified by the example in the text. Option B is incorrect because travelers under personal exemptions are not subject to recordkeeping requirements under this section. Option D is incorrect because "unknowingly" purchasing goods excludes the party from the "knowingly causes" requirement in 19 CFR 163.2(a)(1)(ii).
CBLEsim is free: every past-exam question CBP has released, the CFR and the HTSUS a tap away, timed mock exams, and tracking that sends you back to what you keep missing.
Start practising free