October 2019 Customs Broker Exam
The October 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. 58 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 141 and Part 152, per CBP's own answer key.
Five questions from this exam
Q1. What is a customs broker required to have in order to conduct customs business on behalf of others?
- AA copy of the Customs Regulations
- BCommercial invoices
- CPayment of services rendered
- DA valid power of attorney
- EAll of the above
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is D because 19 CFR 141.46 explicitly requires a customs broker to obtain a valid power of attorney before acting on behalf of a principal, establishing this as a legal prerequisite for conducting customs business. Options A, B, and C are not mandated by the cited authority: having the Customs Regulations (A) is not a requirement for brokerage authority, commercial invoices (B) are transactional documents, not legal prerequisites, and payment for services (C) pertains to compensation, not legal standing. Option E is incorrect because it aggregates non-mandatory elements with the correct requirement.
Q16. The entry documentation required to secure the release of merchandise includes the CBP Form 3461 and ALL of the following supporting documentation EXCEPT:
- AEvidence of the right to make entry
- BCommercial Invoice
- CPacking list
- DIdentification describing the consignee of the merchandise
- EA unique 3-digit filer code
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is E because 19 CFR 141.61 does not list a "unique 3-digit filer code" as required documentation for entry or entry summary forms. The regulation specifies forms like CBP Form 3461, evidence of entry rights (A), commercial invoices (B), packing lists (C), and consignee identification (D) as necessary, but filer codes are not mentioned in the cited text. The other options are explicitly or implicitly required by the regulation’s mandates for legible, complete documentation.
Q48. All of the following are provided directly and free of charge by the U.S. buyer of imported merchandise for use in connection with the production or sale for export to the United States of high-end bathroom cabinets. What cost do you advise the U.S. buyer NOT to include in the transaction value of the bathroom cabinets?
- AAdvertising space on social media purchased by the U.S. buyer for the Chinese manufacturer to post prices and photos of the completed bathroom cabinets
- BMetal hinges purchased by the U.S. buyer and sent to the Chinese manufacturer for incorporation into the cabinets
- CA custom-made circular saw purchased by the U.S. buyer and sent to the Chinese manufacturer for precision cutting of the cabinet doors
- DLuxury high-gloss paint purchased by the U.S. buyer and sent to the Chinese manufacturer to paint the cabinets
- EA schematic drawing made in Ireland and provided by the U.S. buyer to the Chinese manufacturer for the cabinets’ unique top made out of weathered, reclaimed wood
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is A because advertising space on social media is not an "assist" under 19 CFR 152.102(a)(1), which defines assists as materials, tools, or engineering work directly used in production or sale. Advertising is a marketing expense, not directly tied to manufacturing or export preparation. The other options (B, C, D, E) involve items or services (hinges, saws, paint, design schematics) that are explicitly included as assists because they are incorporated into the product or necessary for its production. Option E’s schematic is an assist under (a)(1)(iv), even though it was made in Ireland, as it is design work undertaken outside the U.S. for production.
Q63. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT regarding a power of attorney?
- AA power of attorney must be legible.
- BA power of attorney must identify a Grantor and a Grantee.
- CA power of attorney may be completed on CBP Form 5291 “Power of Attorney.”
- DA power of attorney must identify only nonresident principals.
- EA power of attorney must include the statement to accept service of process against a nonresident principal.
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is D because 19 CFR 141.31(d) defines "nonresident" but does not restrict power of attorney documents to nonresident principals. A power of attorney may apply to either resident or nonresident principals, making the statement in D incorrect. Options A, B, and C are correct: legibility is required for all legal documents, a power of attorney must identify the Grantor and Grantee, and CBP Form 5291 is an acceptable form. Option E is also correct because the regulation implicitly requires such a statement for nonresident principals, as service of process is a legal necessity. The error in D lies in its exclusive focus on nonresidents, which contradicts the regulation’s inclusive definition.
Q59. Using the commercial invoice please answer question # 59 through 61 COMMERCIAL INVOICE 20. Shipper/Exporter Fabrica de Artigos de Vestuario Top Job Grand River Building, Fi 2-4 Caracas, Venezuela 21. No. and Date of Invoice US001836 July 9, 2019 22. No. and Date of L/C 23. For Account and Risk of Messers Quilting Express 678 Palmer Street Chicago, IL IRS# 98-765432100 24. L/C Issuing Bank 25. Notify Party 26. Penny Brokers , 431-123-5874 27. Remarks P/O No.: TPS001 28. Port of Unlading Chicago, IL 29. Final Destination Chicago, IL 30. Carrier Venezuela Airlines 31. Departure on or about July 1, 2019 Marks and Numbers of Pkgs. 50 cartons stc 5500 pieces 32. Description of Goods 33. Quantity 34. Unit Price 35. Amount Country of Origin: Venezuela Printed 100% cotton plain weave patchwork fabric 5500 pieces 2.35USD $12,925.00 GW 1250 kg NW 1200 kg TOTAL $12,925.00 Master Bill: 001-63324833 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The fabric is made from patchwork squares, approximately 6” x 6” each, which have been sewn together for customers to use in making quilts. The fabric pieces contain 59 single yarns per centimeter in the warp and 28 single yarns per centimeter in the filling, What is the Manufacturer ID? Fabrica de Artigos de Vestuario Top Job Grand River Building, Fi 2-4 Caracas, Venezuela
- AVEFABDECAR
- BVEFABGRACAR
- CVETOPJOB24CAR
- DVETOPJOBCAR
- EVEFABDE24CAR
Show the answer and explanation
The correct answer is C) VETOPJOBCAR because the Manufacturer ID is formed by abbreviating the manufacturer’s name as listed on the commercial invoice. The shipper/exporter is “Fabrica de Artigos de Vestuario Top Job Grand River Building, Fi 2-4 Caracas, Venezuela,” and the ID must include the manufacturer’s name (abbreviated to “TOPJOB”) and the city (Caracas, abbreviated as “CAR”), followed by the country code (VE). Options A, B, D, and E incorrectly include irrelevant details like “Fi 2-4” or “Grand River,” which are not part of the Manufacturer ID per 19 CFR 102 Appendix 7.
That is 5 of 58. Sit the full October 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.
- Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (2018 and/or 2019 Basic Edition, No Supplements)
- Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (2018 Revised as of April 1, 2018, Parts 1 to END)
- Instructions for Preparation of CBP Form 7501 (July 24, 2012)
- Right to Make Entry Directive 3530-002A
- Business Rules and Process Document (Trade External 9.75, Sections 1 - 12)
Sit this exam
58 questions from this sitting are in the simulator, in their original exam order, on a 3 hour 16 minute clock. Same order the candidates saw them in, same pace.
22 questions are left out: 2 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.
Sit the October 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.