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 C.F.R. 141.113(c)(2) explicitly states that a conditional release terminates if (1) the FDA issues a notice of refusal, (2) the FDA permits the merchandise to proceed, or (3) more than 30 days have passed since release, provided the release was not extended. Options B and D incorrectly focus on documentation presented to the FDA, which is unrelated to termination criteria. Option C misstates the 30-day period as 15 days, contradicting the regulation. Option E is invalid because A is correct.

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 20 th. • The shipment was subsequently authorized for release by the appropriate CBP officer, and the CBP Form 3461 signed by CBP, on March 18 th • 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 23 rd, 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 because the "time of entry" is determined by when the CBP officer authorizes release of the merchandise, which occurred on March 18th, per 19 CFR 141.68(a)(1). The anti-dumping rate applies based on the effective date of the rate change (February 7th), so the higher rate of 1008.3% applies to entries on or after that date, including the March 18th release. Options A, B, and D incorrectly use earlier dates (January 23rd or February 2nd) that precede the rate change, while C misapplies the rate to February 2nd, which is before the effective date.

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 reflect those "usually reflected in sales of merchandise of the same class or kind as the imported merchandise that are made by the producers in the country of exportation for export to the United States," not all U.S. apparel sales. Option E correctly references Costa Rican producers' usual expenses for exports to the U.S., aligning with the regulation. Options B, C, and D are explicitly listed as elements in 19 CFR 152.106(a)(1), (4), and (3), respectively. Option A misapplies the profit basis to U.S. sales rather than the exporting country’s export-specific sales.

Q37. Which statement is TRUE concerning Customs Bonds?

  1. AThe surety, as well as the port director, remains liable on a terminated bond for obligations incurred prior to termination.
  2. BContinuous bond applications must be submitted to the Commissioner of Customs.
  3. CThe principal may list on the bond, trade names and the names of unincorporated divisions of the corporate principal which have a separate and distinct legal status who are authorized to use the bond in their own name.
  4. DA continuous bond is effective on the effective date identified on CBP Form 368.
  5. EA surety on a CBP bond, which is in default, may be accepted as surety on other CBP bonds only to the extent that the surety assets are unencumbered by the default.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E  · Authority: 19 CFR 113.38(b)

The correct answer, E, is supported by 19 CFR 113.38(b), which explicitly states that a surety in default may be accepted on other CBP bonds only if their assets are unencumbered by the default. This directly aligns with the statement in E. Option A is incorrect because 19 CFR 113.38 does not address post-termination liability of the port director; it focuses on surety acceptance rules. Option B is incorrect because continuous bond applications are submitted to the port director, not the Commissioner, as per CBP procedures. Option C is unsupported because the HTSUS text does not mention trade names or unincorporated divisions. Option D is incorrect because the effective date of a continuous bond is not tied to CBP Form 368, which is not referenced in the provided authority.

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.

Free, no account, no ads.
Sit the April 2019 exam

← October 2018 · All past exams, 2018 to 2026 · October 2019 →

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.