October 2021 Customs Broker Exam

The October 2021 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. 68 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 171, Part 152 and Part 111, per CBP's own answer key.

Five questions from this exam

Q19. An individual who qualifies as an importer of record under 19 USC 1484 may authorize an unpaid agent to enter merchandise on their behalf, so long as ___________________.

  1. AThe merchandise is a gift.
  2. BThe authorization is made in writing, no power of attorney is required, and the importer is not acting on behalf of a corporation, partnership, or association.
  3. CThe individual is a regular importer, the appointment is for a single article of merchandise, and the agent is a relative.
  4. DThe individual is not acting on behalf of a corporate entity, and the shipment is valued at or under $800.
  5. EThe individual is not a regular importer, the appointment is for a single non-commercial shipment, and the authorization is made by executing a power of attorney.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E  · Authority: Right to Make Entry Section 5.14.1, 19 CFR 141.33

The correct answer is E because 19 CFR 141.33 explicitly states that an individual who is not a regular importer may appoint an unpaid agent by executing a power of attorney for a single non-commercial shipment. This matches E’s conditions. Option A is incorrect because the regulation does not limit authorization to gifts; it applies to any non-commercial shipment. Option B is wrong because a power of attorney is required, not excluded. Option C is invalid because the individual must not be a regular importer, and the agent’s relationship is not specified. Option D is incorrect because the regulation does not mention a 800 value threshold.

Q56. Exporter E provides the following quantity discounts on mattresses purchased by importers before their importation: • 1 to 99 mattresses - no discount • 100 to 499 mattresses - 10% discount • Over 500 mattresses - 15% discount Under the first scenario, Importer X purchases and imports 120 mattresses in a single shipment. The invoice price reflects a 10% discount. Under the second scenario, Importer Y purchases 120 mattresses in a single transaction at a price which reflects a 10% discount but imports them in four separate shipments each comprising 30 mattresses. What is the customs value of the imported mattresses under the two scenarios?

  1. AUnder both scenarios, the customs value is the price actually paid or payable for the imported mattresses reflecting a 10% discount.
  2. BUnder the first scenario, the customs value is the price actually paid or payable for the imported mattresses reflecting a 10% discount. Under the second scenario, the customs value is the price actually paid or payable for the imported mattresses reflecting no discounts.
  3. CUnder both scenarios, the customs value is the price actually paid or payable for the imported mattresses reflecting no discounts.
  4. DUnder the first scenario, the customs value is the price actually paid or payable for the imported mattresses reflecting a 10% discount. Under the second scenario, the customs value is the price actually paid or payable for the imported mattresses reflecting a 15% discount.
  5. EIn both cases, the customs value is the price actually paid or payable for the imported mattresses reflecting a 15% discount.
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A  · Authority: 19 CFR 152.103(a)(1)

The correct answer is A because 19 CFR 152.103(a)(1) explicitly states that customs value is determined by the "price actually paid or payable," which includes discounts regardless of shipment structure. Both scenarios involve a 10% discount on the same total quantity (120 mattresses), so the discount is valid in both cases. Options B, C, D, and E are incorrect because they misinterpret the discount conditions (e.g., B assumes shipment splitting invalidates the discount, which is not supported by the regulation; D and E incorrectly apply a 15% discount for quantities exceeding 500, which does not occur here). The regulation does not tie discounts to shipment count, only to the total quantity purchased.

Q17. Where can you find the regulation pertaining to the compensation (liquidated damages) for breach of bond?

  1. A19 CFR 111
  2. B19 CFR 113
  3. C19 CFR 114
  4. D19 CFR 141
  5. E19 CFR 144
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: B  · Authority: 19 CFR 113, subpart F

The correct answer is B because 19 CFR 113, subpart F explicitly addresses liquidated damages for breach of bond, as required by customs regulations. Other options, such as 19 CFR 111 (entry procedures), 114 (bonding requirements), and 141/144 (importation and administrative rules), do not pertain to compensation for bond breaches. The authority directly links the regulation to 19 CFR 113, confirming its relevance.

Q31. Except when another period is fixed by law or regulations, any document for the production of which a bond or stipulation is given must be delivered within ______ days from the date of notice from CBP requesting such document, or within any extension of such time which may be granted pursuant to 19 CFR 133.43(a).

  1. A15
  2. B30
  3. C45
  4. D60
  5. E120
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E  · Authority: 19 CFR 113.42

The correct answer is E) 120 days, as explicitly stated in 19 CFR 113.42, which mandates delivery within 120 days from CBP’s notice unless another period is fixed by law or regulation. The other options (A–D) are incorrect because they do not align with the text of 19 CFR 113.42, which specifically sets 120 days as the default period. While 30 or 60 days might appear in other customs rules, they are not applicable here, as the regulation’s language is definitive and unambiguous.

Q45. What is the CLASSIFICATION of a battery-powered, digital blood-pressure monitor? The machine is composed of a fabric sleeve, a microphone, an electrical cord connecting the sleeve to the control unit, and the control unit. The control unit is housed in a plastic case and consists of two buttons for the power and start functions, a switch for various settings, and a LCD screen that displays the measurements. The machine operates by inflating the sleeve around the user’s arm, at which point the microphone picks up the arterial pulsating sound and transforms it into an electrical signal, which in turn is converted into a blood pressure reading within the control unit for display. In this respect, the machine operates in a manner similar to a sphygmomanometer, but allows blood pressure readings to be taken directly by the user and without the use of a stethoscope.

  1. A8518.10.8030
  2. B8543.70.9960
  3. C9018.19.9550
  4. D9018.90.5040
  5. E9031.80.8085
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer: C  · Authority: HTSUS 9018.19.9550, GRI1, note 1(m) to Section GRI6

The correct classification is 9018.19.9550 because the device is an electro-medical apparatus used to check physiological parameters (blood pressure), aligning with HTSUS 9018.19.9550’s description of "other apparatus" for functional examination or physiological parameters. Option D (9018.90.50.40) is for sphygmomanometers, but the device operates without a stethoscope and uses electronic sensors, which excludes it from that category under note 1(m) to Section GRI6. Option A (8518.10.80.30) applies to microphones, which are components, not the primary function. Option E (9031.80.80.85) is for general-purpose measuring instruments, not medical devices.

That is 5 of 68. Sit the full October 2021 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

68 questions from this sitting are in the simulator, in their original exam order, on a 3 hour 50 minute clock. Same order the candidates saw them in, same pace.

12 questions are left out: the law they tested has changed since. 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.