April 2018 Customs Broker Exam

The April 2018 customs broker license exam (CBLE) was an open-book sitting of 80 multiple-choice questions in 4.5 hours, with 60 correct needed to pass. 53 questions from this sitting are in the simulator, each with the official citation from CBP's answer key and a plain-English explanation.

What this sitting was like

Citations on this sitting clustered in 19 CFR Part 111, Part 113 and Part 152, per CBP's own answer key.

Five questions from this exam

Q18. The determination of the applicable AD/CVD investigations or orders is governed by the “time of entry” according to which:

  1. A19 CFR 142.3
  2. B19 CFR 141.0(a)
  3. C19 CFR 159.10
  4. D19 CFR 141.68
  5. E19 CFR 132.4
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: D  · Authority: Time of Entry 19 CFR 141.68 and 19 CFR 151.69

The correct answer is D) 19 CFR 141.68, as this regulation explicitly defines the "time of entry" for merchandise, which determines the applicable AD/CVD investigations or orders. The text under 19 CFR 141.68(a)-(d) outlines scenarios for determining the time of entry, directly linking it to the rules governing AD/CVD applicability. Other options, such as 19 CFR 142.3 (A) or 19 CFR 159.10 (C), address different procedural aspects (e.g., entry summaries, quota-class merchandise) but do not define the "time of entry" itself. The authority confirms that 19 CFR 141.68 is the governing rule for this determination.

Q45. Transaction value means:

  1. AThe price actually paid or payable for the merchandise
  2. BThe price actually paid or payable for the merchandise plus buying commissions, royalties, assists, packing costs and proceeds
  3. CThe price actually paid or payable for the merchandise plus selling commissions, royalties, assists, packing costs and proceeds
  4. DThe price actually paid or payable for the merchandise plus selling commissions, royalties, packing costs and U.S. inland freight
  5. EThe price actually paid or payable plus buying commissions, royalties, assists, packing and freight costs
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: C  · Authority: 19 CFR 152.103 (a) and (b)

The correct answer is C because transaction value includes the price actually paid or payable plus selling commissions, royalties, assists, packing costs, and proceeds, as outlined in 19 CFR 152.103(a) and (b). These elements are explicitly added to the base price to determine the full transaction value. Options A and E are incorrect because they omit necessary components like selling commissions and proceeds. Option B is wrong because it includes "buying commissions," which are not part of the transaction value under the cited authority. Option D is incorrect because it adds "U.S. inland freight," which is excluded as per Example 4, where ocean freight and insurance were explicitly excluded from transaction value.

Q17. I.T. Date 01/02/17 18 Missing Docs 19. Foreign Port of Lading55700 20. U.S. Port of Unlading 3001 21. Location of Goods/GO No. H572 BNSF LOGISTICS PARK - CHI 22. Consignee No. SAME 23. Importer No. 04-0422353-00 24. Reference No. 26. Ultimate Consignee Name and Address City StateTX Zip 26. Importer of Record Number and Address INSIDE INTERIORS, INC. 602 AVENUE J City LUBBOCKStateTXZip 79401 14. Which date is used for calculating the applicable rate of duty?

  1. AExtruded rubber thread from Malaysia that is subject to an antidumping duty
  2. BOil circular tubular goods from Indonesia subject to a countervailing duty
  3. CTuna caught in Indonesian waters that is subject to a tariff rate quota
  4. DWomen’s apparel that is placed in a foreign trade zone
  5. EWooden bedroom furniture from Indonesia
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B  · Authority: 19 CFR 113.13 (d)

The correct answer is B because the applicable rate of duty for goods subject to countervailing duties is determined based on the entry date, which is the date the goods are entered into the U.S. customs system. The other options are incorrect because they involve different duty types (e.g., antidumping, tariff rate quotas, foreign trade zones) or commodities not directly tied to the entry date as a determining factor for duty rates. The cited authority (19 CFR 113.13(d)) relates to bond sufficiency, not duty calculation dates, indicating a possible misalignment in the question’s authority.

Q55. If imported merchandise is detained because CBP suspects it bears a counterfeit version of a mark that is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and recorded with CBP, and the importer, upon written notification, does not provide information within seven days of such notification that establishes to CBP’s satisfaction that the suspect mark is not counterfeit, or provides information that is insufficient to establish that the suspect mark is not counterfeit, CBP may disclose to the right holder:

  1. AThe entry documents and a sample or digital images of the merchandise including serial numbers, dates of manufacture, lot codes, batch numbers, universal product codes or other identifying marks appearing on the merchandise or its retail packaging
  2. BThe names and addresses of the exporter and importer
  3. CThe entry documents and the name and address of the manufacturer
  4. DA sample or digital images of the merchandise including serial numbers, dates of manufacture, lot codes, batch numbers, universal product codes or other identifying marks appearing on the merchandise or its retail packaging, but no entry documents
  5. EAll of the above
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: D  · Authority: 19 CFR 133.21 (b)(1)

The correct answer is D because 19 CFR 133.21(b)(2)(A) explicitly permits CBP to disclose a sample or digital images of the merchandise with identifying marks (e.g., serial numbers, lot codes) but does not authorize disclosure of entry documents. Options A, C, and E are incorrect because they include entry documents, which are not permitted under the regulation. Option B is incorrect because the regulation does not mention disclosing exporter or importer names and addresses in this context. The authority is limited to the specific information listed in D.

Q50. The importer, Company A, imports 1,000 batteries from an unrelated overseas seller at a price of $0.50 CIF per battery. The overseas seller buys the batteries in bulk from an overseas manufacturer. Company A requires each battery to be individually wrapped in polythene with a cardboard backing for display at retail outlets in the United States. Company A provides the polythene and cardboard backing materials free of charge to the overseas seller. Company A obtains the materials from a supplier in the United States at a cost of $40 for the quantity required to wrap 1,000 batteries. The seller of the imported batteries arranges for an overseas packing company to carry out the wrapping/packing. This company charges the seller of the imported goods, $60 per 1,000 batteries for this service. The documents show that the total overseas freight and insurance costs totaled $10. What is the customs value in the United States for a shipment of 1,000 batteries?

  1. A$530
  2. B$500
  3. C$600
  4. D$540
  5. ENone of the above.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A  · Authority: $530.00 Value of the batteries, consider the polythene and cardboard packing as provided by the importer free of charge to the manufacturer, used in the production for sale or export: CIF price = .50 CIF x 1,000 = $ 500.00 CIF, plus assist $40.00, the Customs Value is $540.00 CIF, FOB value (customs value in the US): $540.00 - $10.00 (freight and insurance) = $530.00 19 CFR 152.103(b)

The correct answer is A) 530. The customs value is calculated using the transaction value under 19 CFR 152.103(b), which includes the price actually paid or payable (CIF price of 500) plus any assistance provided by the buyer (the 40 for polythene and cardboard). However, the CIF price already includes freight and insurance, so the 10 freight and insurance must be subtracted to arrive at the FOB value, which is the basis for U.S. customs valuation. This results in 540 (CIF + assist) minus 10 (freight/insurance) = 530. Option B) 500 is incorrect because it omits the 40 assist. Option C) 600 incorrectly adds the 60 packing fee, which is not an assist under the rules. Option D) 540 fails to subtract the 10 freight/insurance, which is necessary to convert CIF to FOB value.

That is 5 of 53. Sit the full April 2018 exam →

Answers and citations are from CBP's published answer key. CBP does not modify answer keys after appeal decisions, so where an appeal later overturned an answer, the key still shows the original.

What this exam was written against

The reference editions in force for this sitting. Editions matter: a question written against an older HTSUS or CFR can test a rule that has since changed.

Sit this exam

53 questions from this sitting are in the simulator, in their original exam order, on a 2 hour 59 minute clock. Same order the candidates saw them in, same pace.

27 questions are left out: 7 depended on exhibits CBP never published or were credited to every candidate, and 20 tested law that has since changed. The directions screen notes this before you start, so nothing is a surprise mid exam.

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CBP's official answer keys for recent exams are on CBP's past-exams page (the five most recent sittings only). Last verified against cbp.gov: August 2, 2026.