Customs Broker Exam Registration: April 2027
The next Customs Broker License Exam is Wednesday, April 28, 2027. CBP has not opened registration yet, and has not announced when it will. This page will carry the exact dates as soon as CBP publishes them.
Want one email the day registration for the April 2027 exam opens? You will also get the CBLEsim letter, about once a month. One click stops either.
What we know, and how we know it
| What | Status |
|---|---|
| Exam day | Wednesday, April 28, 2027 |
| Registration window | Not announced yet |
| Fee | $390 for October 2026; confirmed in each notice |
| Reference editions | Named in the notice; not announced yet |
The date comes from the regulation itself. 19 CFR 111.13(b) puts the exam on the fourth Wednesday in April and October, unless the date conflicts with a holiday or similar event and CBP publishes a change in the Federal Register.
For a sense of timing: for the October 2026 exam, registration opened on August 17 and closed on September 16, six weeks before exam day. There is no late registration.
How to register, when it opens
You register and pay through the eCBP portal. Click "Brokers" and follow the on-page instructions. CBP recommends the latest version of Google Chrome.
Two things to do the moment you register: add CBLE_Support@talogy.com and cbpcustomsbrokerexam@pdri.com to your contacts, because everything from CBP and the testing vendor comes from those addresses and they land in spam; and use an email address you actually check, because your webinar invitation and your results letter go to it.
Who is eligible
On the date of the exam you must be a U.S. citizen, 18 or older, and not an officer or employee of the United States Government. Passing the exam is the first step toward a license; the license application comes after.
What the exam actually is
- 80 multiple-choice questions in 4.5 hours
- 75 percent to pass, which is 60 of 80 correct
- Given electronically, mostly at centralized exam facilities
The appeals threshold
Since the April 2026 exam you can only appeal if you score 57 or higher out of 80, within three questions of passing, and then only up to four questions. A first appeal is due within 60 days of the date on your results letter. A 56 is a final fail with no path.
Recent pass rates
Prior to appeal decisions:
| Exam | Pass rate |
|---|---|
| April 22, 2026 | 22% |
| October 22, 2025 | 12% |
| April 23, 2025 | 30% |
Most people who sit this exam do not pass it on a given day. Starting early is the single most useful thing you can do about that.
Starting now
Every released past exam is on this site with its answer key, and the simulator runs them as timed 80-question sittings with the references built in. It is free, and studying needs no account.
Frequently asked questions
When is the April 2027 customs broker exam?
Wednesday, April 28, 2027. Under 19 CFR 111.13(b) the exam is given on the fourth Wednesday in April and October, unless CBP publishes a notice in the Federal Register moving it.
When does registration open?
CBP has not announced the April 2027 registration window yet. For the October 2026 exam, registration opened August 17 and closed September 16, six weeks before the exam.
How much does the customs broker exam cost?
The fee for the October 2026 exam was $390, paid through the eCBP portal when you register. CBP confirms the fee in its notice for each administration.
What is the passing score?
75 percent, which is 60 correct out of 80 questions.
How long is the exam?
4.5 hours for 80 multiple-choice questions.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You must be a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old, and not an officer or employee of the United States Government on the date of the exam.
Can I appeal if I fail?
Only if you score 57 or higher out of 80, which is within three questions of passing. If you qualify you may appeal up to four questions, and a first appeal is due within 60 days of the date on your results letter.
Which reference materials will be allowed?
CBP names the exact editions in its notice for each administration, and they change. The October 2026 exam used the 2026 HTS Basic Edition and the 2025 Annual Edition of 19 CFR. Check the notice for this sitting before you buy or tab books.
CBLEsim is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Confirm anything critical on CBP's Customs Broker License Exam page.