CBLEsim

April 2019 Customs Broker Exam

The April 2019 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. 62 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 133 and Part 113, per CBP's own answer key.

Five questions from this exam

Q16. Which answer below identifies all circumstances whereby a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) conditional release is considered terminated for food, drugs, devices, cosmetics, and tobacco products imported pursuant to section 801(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [21 U.S.C. 381(a)], as amended?

  1. AThe conditional release has not been extended in accordance with 19 C.F.R. 141.113(c)(2) and: (1) the FDA issues a notice of refusal of admission; or (2) the FDA issues a notice that the merchandise may proceed; or (3) more than 30 days have passed since the date of release.
  2. BThe importer has presented documentation to the FDA demonstrating that the merchandise is properly licensed and in compliance.
  3. CThe conditional release has not been extended in accordance with 19 C.F.R. 141.113(c)(2), and: (1) the FDA issues a notice that the merchandise may proceed; or (2) more than 15 days have passed since the date of release.
  4. DThe FDA has written to the importer acknowledging receipt of documentation demonstrating that the merchandise is properly licensed and in compliance.
  5. ENone of the above.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A  · Authority: 19 CFR 141.113(c)

The correct answer is A because 19 CFR 141.113(c) specifies that a conditional release for food, drugs, etc., terminates if the release is not extended, the FDA issues a notice of refusal of admission, the FDA issues a notice that the merchandise may proceed (which effectively ends the conditional status), or 30 days have passed since release. Options B and D incorrectly suggest termination based on documentation presented to the FDA, which is not a termination condition under the cited rule. Option C incorrectly references a 15-day period instead of the 30-day period required by 19 CFR 141.113(c)(2).

Q28. A Department of Commerce message advised of the increased anti-dumping cash deposit rate for widgets imported from the Republic of Widgeteria to 1008.3%, from the rate of 5.67%, for all entries entered for consumption, on or after February 7th. There are no individual case numbers, so this rate change applies to all imports of widgets from the Republic of Widgeteria. There is no Executive order providing a different rate of duty. The facts related to the instant shipment of widgets are: • The entry was entered for immediate transportation in Seattle on January 23rd. • It arrived in the destination port, Minneapolis, on February 2nd. • A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Form 3461 was properly filed with Minneapolis CBP on February 6th, no entry date was elected, but the 3461 did provide the name, street address, and identification number of the person to whom the merchandise was sold. • The evidence of the right to make entry, a commercial invoice, other documentation required by CBP, and a packing list were filed on February 6. • The port director took the merchandise into custody for general order. The shipment was inspected by CBP on February 20th. • The shipment was subsequently authorized for release by the appropriate CBP officer, and the CBP Form 3461 signed by CBP, on March 18th • A CBP Form 7501, Entry Summary, was filed and dated March 26th. What is the date of entry and the rate of anti-dumping duties?

  1. AJanuary 23rd, 5.67%
  2. BFebruary 2nd, 5.67%
  3. CFebruary 2nd, 1008.3%
  4. DMarch 18th, 5.67%
  5. EMarch 18th, 1008.3%
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E  · Authority: 19 CFR 141.68, 19 CFR 141.69 and 19 CFR 142.3

The correct answer is E) March 18th, 1008.3%. Start with the date of entry. The CBP Form 3461 was filed without an entry summary, so 19 CFR 141.68(a) applies. Its paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) let the importer elect the filing date or the arrival date, but only "if requested by the importer on the entry documentation", and the facts say no entry date was elected. That leaves (a)(1): the time of entry is when the appropriate CBP officer authorizes release, which is March 18th, when the 3461 was signed. The immediate transportation entry accepted in Seattle on January 23rd looks like it should control, because 19 CFR 141.69(b) applies the rates in effect when the IT entry was accepted. But that rule holds only where the merchandise was entered for consumption "without having been taken into custody by the port director for general order", and here the port director did take the shipment into general order. So 141.69(b) is unavailable and the general rule in 141.69 applies: the rates in effect at the time of entry. March 18th falls on or after February 7th, the date from which the Commerce message raised the cash deposit rate, so 1008.3% applies rather than 5.67%.

Q76. Which of the following is NOT an element of the computed value of apparel from Costa Rica?

  1. AAn amount for profit and general expenses equal to that usually reflected in sales of all apparel in the United States.
  2. BThe cost or value of materials, fabrication, and processing employed in the production of the imported merchandise.
  3. CPacking costs.
  4. DThe value of an assist.
  5. EAn amount for profit and general expenses equal to that usually reflected in sales of Costa Rican apparel for export to the United States.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A  · Authority: 19 CFR 152.106(a)(2)

The correct answer is A because 19 CFR 152.106(a)(2) specifies that the profit and general expenses must be based on sales of merchandise of the same class or kind made by producers in the country of exportation (Costa Rica) for export to the United States, not on U.S. sales. Option B is correct as it includes the cost of materials and processing, which is explicitly listed in 19 CFR 152.106(a)(1). Option C is correct because packing costs are explicitly included in 19 CFR 152.106(a)(4). Option D is correct as assists are explicitly included in 19 CFR 152.106(a)(3). Option E is correct because it aligns with the requirement that profit and general expenses be based on Costa Rican exports, as stated in 19 CFR 152.106(a)(2).

Q32. Company A imported seven ball bearings with integral shafts from Germany, which are classified under subheading 8482.10.10, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, at a 2.4% ad valorem duty rate and are subject to antidumping duties. The ball bearings are shipped by air and formally entered at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The total value of the shipment is $9,875.00. The applicable antidumping duty cash deposit rate is 86.98%. What are the total amount of fees and estimated duties that should be reported on CBP Form 7501?

  1. A$271.21
  2. B$8589.28
  3. C$8623.49
  4. D$8826.28
  5. E$8860.49
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E  · Authority: 19 CFR 24.23

The correct answer is E) 8860.49 because the total duties and fees include the 2.4% ad valorem duty (9,875 × 2.4% = 237.00), the 0.3464% Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) (9,875 × 0.3464% = 34.21), and the 86.98% antidumping duty (ADD) (9,875 × 86.98% = 8,589.28). These three components sum to 8,860.49. Other options omit one or more of these required fees (e.g., B and D exclude MPF, C miscalculates ADD or MPF). The HTSUS and CBP regulations mandate inclusion of all applicable duties and fees on Form 7501.

Q45. Please answer questions 45-51 using the commercial invoice below. COMMERCIAL INVOICE 4. Shipper/Exporter Sigma COY E.X.T. 4000 Smyrna, Italy 3640 Delgado 5. No. and Date of Invoice US001836 Monday, December 13, 2018 6. No. and Date of L/C 7. For Account and Risk of Messer’s Santa’s Apparel Closet 714 Santa Road New York, NY 10001 8. L/C Issuing Bank 9. Notify Party 10. Harriett Blonde (212) 123-4567 11. Remarks P/O No.: TPS045 US Funds – DDP/New York, NY door 12. Port of Lading New York, NY 13. Final Destination New York, NY 14. Carrier Italian Airlines 15. Departure on or about December 1, 2018 Marks and Numbers of Pkgs. 15 cartons, 45 dozens 16. Description of Goods 17. Quantity 18. Unit Price 19. Amount Country of Origin: Italy Ladies hat crocheted to shape from unspun dyed raffia. Lined, trimmed w/grosgrain ribbon hat band, not sewn (2728 kg) 20 doz 37.50 USD ea. $9000.00 Men’s 100% knit cotton sleeveless muscle shirt (2256 kg) 25 doz 24.80 USD ea. $7440.00 TOTAL $16,440.00 Master Bill: 001-63324833 House Bill: COSC56676406 Estimated Entry Date December 27, 2018 What would the Entry Type code be for the above invoice?

  1. A01
  2. B03
  3. C08
  4. D25
  5. E51
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A  · Authority: Prep of 7501 Instructions, Entry Codes

The correct answer is A) 01 because the invoice specifies "DDP/New York, NY door," indicating the goods are imported for consumption in the U.S. under the Incoterms rule where the seller bears all costs and duties until delivery. Entry Type 01 corresponds to "Importation for consumption," as outlined in the Prep of 7501 Instructions. Other options like 03 (temporary use/export) or 25/51 (production for export) do not apply here, as the goods are not for temporary use or export production.

That is 5 of 62. Sit the full April 2019 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

62 questions from this sitting are in the simulator, in their original exam order, on a 3 hour 29 minute clock. Same order the candidates saw them in, same pace.

18 questions are left out: 3 depended on exhibits CBP never published or were credited to every candidate, and 15 tested law that has since changed. The directions screen notes this before you start, so nothing is a surprise mid exam.

Sit the April 2019 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.