April 2026 Customs Broker Exam — official answers, explained

Newest sealed read: 2026-09-07. We add a new sitting after each April and October exam. We hold 5 sealed runs going back to 2024-05-01.

What this page is80 rows held · newest sealed read 2026-09-07

CBP's April 2026 exam had 80 questions. We explain 12 of them; the 10 below are a free sample.
The answer letter on every row is CBP's own official answer key. The explanation next to it is ours.
Each explanation quotes the exact Title 19 CFR text the official key cites, fetched from the eCFR — the model quotes the rule, it does not recall it.
Every explanation is drafted by a local model and then checked by a second local model; a flagged draft is withheld, not shown.

Real rows out of our sealed copies

These are real questions from the sealed CBP paper. The answer is CBP's official one; the explanation is ours and quotes the rule the key cites.

April 2026 sample: 10 of 80 questions CBP April 2026 sitting · sealed copy 2026-09-07

#	Question and options	CBP official answer	Our explanation
Q2	Which ONE of the following activities may qualify for one credit of continuing broker education? A) Viewing a one-hour recording of a CBP webinar offered to prepare registered CBLE examinees for exam-day procedures.; B) Attending a one-hour discussion session on the potential use of artificial intelligence in tariff classification. The session is offered during an in-person trade workshop near the Port of Baltimore and is attended by several CBP employees. The discussion leader has stated that the event organizers intend to seek approval for continuing broker education credit for the discussion session after the session concludes.; C) Giving a one-hour lecture on duty refund opportunities for educational institutions at a convention for educators and university procurement officers. The lecture and the convention have been approved for continuing broker education credit by a CBP-selected accreditor, prior to being held.; D) One hour spent preparing subject matter for a self-guided, five-month long online course on valuation that commenced at the start of the year. The course culminates in a retention test and has been approved for continuing broker education credit by a CBP-selected accreditor. CBLE pg. 2	C) Giving a one-hour lecture on duty refund opportunities for educational institutions at a convention for educators and university procurement officers. The lecture and the convention have been approved for continuing broker education credit by a CBP-selected accreditor, prior to being held.	Option C is correct because the regulation states that non-government training must be "approved for continuing education credit by a CBP-selected accreditor before the training or educational activity is provided," which matches the scenario where the lecture was approved prior to being held. Option B is incorrect because the organizers only intend to seek approval after the session concludes, violating the requirement for pre-approval. Option D is incorrect because the special allowance for preparing subject matter is limited to a maximum of one credit for the time spent preparing for a specific presentation, not for the entire duration of a self-guided course. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.103.
Q3	Smith Logistics LLC ("Smith Logistics") is a freight forwarder and licensed customs broker. Smith Logistics has executed a valid power of attorney to authorize its unlicensed employee, Erin Johnson, to sign documents pertaining to customs business on its behalf. Which ONE of the following statements is TRUE for this scenario? A) Smith Logistics must provide proof of the existence of the power of attorney to CBP upon CBP's request.; B) Smith Logistics must file a statement with the processing Center identifying Erin Johnson as a party authorized to sign documents pertaining to customs business on its behalf.; C) Smith Logistics must file a copy of the power of attorney with CBP before Erin Johnson may begin signing documents pertaining to customs business on its behalf.; D) Smith Logistics must provide CBP with proof that Erin Johnson is at least 21 years old and is a citizen of the United States before she may begin signing documents pertaining to customs business on its behalf.	A) Smith Logistics must provide proof of the existence of the power of attorney to CBP upon CBP's request.	Under 19 CFR 111.2(a)(2)(ii)(A)(1), a broker who authorizes an employee to sign documents must execute a power of attorney but is "not required to file the power of attorney with CBP, but must provide proof of its existence to CBP upon request." This specific requirement makes Option A the correct statement, as it accurately reflects the regulation's mandate for providing proof only when asked. Options B and C are incorrect because filing a statement or the power of attorney itself is not required for an employee authorized solely to sign documents, and Option D is unsupported by the provided text. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.2.
Q5	Which ONE of the four choices below correctly identifies how long a customs broker must retain the speficied type of record? A) An entry summary document, or CBP Form 7501, must be retained for three years after the date of entry.; B) Records concerning the filing of a drawback claim must be retained for three years after liquidation of the claim or for a longer period if required by law.; C) Records relating to the withdrawal of merchandise from a bonded warehouse must be retained for five years after the date of entry into the bonded warehouse.; D) A document or letter by which an importer revokes a previously granted power of attorney to a customs broker must be retained for five years after the execution date of the subject power of attorney. CBLE pg. 3	B) Records concerning the filing of a drawback claim must be retained for three years after liquidation of the claim or for a longer period if required by law.	Option B is correct because 19 CFR 163.4(b)(1) explicitly states that "Any record relating to a drawback claim shall be kept until the third anniversary of the date of payment of the claim." This specific exception overrides the general five-year retention rule found in 19 CFR 163.4(a), making the three-year period in Option B the accurate requirement for drawback records. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 163.4.
Q7	No later than _____ calendar days after initiating an investigation under 19 CFR 165.15, CBP will take interim measures if there is _____ that the importer entered covered merchandise into the customs territory of the United States through evasion. A) 15; substantial evidence; B) 15; reasonable suspicion; C) 90; substantial evidence; D) 90; reasonable suspicion	D) 90; reasonable suspicion	19 CFR 165.24(a) explicitly states that CBP will take interim measures "No later than 90 calendar days after initiating an investigation" if there is a "reasonable suspicion" of evasion. This text directly matches the time frame and standard required in option D, making it the correct answer. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 165.24.
Q8	What is the maximum civil fine CBP may impose after the seizure of merchandise imported for sale when the merchandise is seized pursuant to 19 USC 1526(e) for bearing a counterfeit mark, has a domestic value of $1,000, and would have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $25,000 in the United States at the time of seizure if it had been genuine? A) $1,000 if this seizure is the importer’s first seizure under 19 USC 1526(e); B) $1,000 if this seizure is the importer’s second seizure under 19 USC 1526(e); C) $25,000 if this seizure is the importer’s first seizure under 19 USC 1526(e); D) $25,000 if this seizure is the importer’s second seizure under 19 USC 1526(e) CBLE pg. 4	C) $25,000 if this seizure is the importer’s first seizure under 19 USC 1526(e)	Under 19 CFR 133.27(a), for the first seizure of merchandise bearing a counterfeit mark, the civil fine "will not be more than the value the merchandise would have had if it were genuine, according to the manufacturer's suggested retail price in the United States at the time of seizure." Since the MSRP is $25,000, the maximum fine for a first violation is $25,000, making option C the correct answer. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 133.27.
Q10	A customs broker discovers that a client has omitted information from an affidavit. The broker believes the client omitted the information by mistake and advises the client promptly of the omission and the proper corrective actions required. What else must the broker do? A) Provide the client with the monetary penalty associated with making the omission.; B) Tell the client the broker can no longer conduct customs transactions on the client's behalf.; C) Retain a record of their communication with the client.; D) Suspend their customs broker's license until the client resolves their omission on the affidavit.	C) Retain a record of their communication with the client.	Under 19 CFR 111.39(c), when a broker identifies an error or omission in a client's document, they must "advise the client on the proper corrective actions required and retain a record of the broker's communication with the client." This specific requirement to keep a record of the advice given makes option C the correct answer. The regulation does not mandate providing penalty details, terminating the relationship, or suspending the license in this scenario. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.39.
Q11	Of the four choices below, which business relationship may Tracy, a licensed customs broker and sole proprietor of her brokerage, maintain without violating CBP regulations? A) Tracy transacts customs business on behalf of her client, X-Logistics, a bona fide importer. At the time when she entered into the broker-client relationship, Tracy knew that X-Logistics was a notoriously disreputable importer.; B) Tracy has an agreement with Faith, another sole proprietor who had her customs broker license suspended with prejudice. For the duration of Faith’s license suspension, Faith refers her clients to Tracy, and Tracy gives Faith a small percentage of the fees collected from the clients Faith referred to her.; C) Tracy befriends an attorney, Margaret, at a trade conference. Margaret works for the Office of Regulations and Rulings at the Department of Homeland Security and authors classification rulings for the type of widgets that Tracy’s clients import. Tracy treats Margaret to a nice dinner in exchange for the opportunity to talk about the classification rulings pending Margaret’s review.; D) Tracy hires Paul to help with recordkeeping at her brokerage. Six months after Paul’s start date, Tracy discovers that Paul is a convicted felon. Tracy takes no futher action and continues to employ Paul. CBLE pg. 5	A) Tracy transacts customs business on behalf of her client, X-Logistics, a bona fide importer. At the time when she entered into the broker-client relationship, Tracy knew that X-Logistics was a notoriously disreputable importer.	Option A is correct because § 111.42(b) explicitly states that "Nothing in this section will prohibit a broker from transacting customs business on behalf of a bona fide importer or exporter who may be notoriously disreputable." This client exception allows Tracy to serve X-Logistics despite its reputation, whereas the other options violate prohibitions in § 111.42(a) regarding sharing fees with suspended brokers or employing individuals without proper approval. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.42.
Q13	When must customs brokers notify CBP of a change in address for their office of record? A) Within 10 calendar days of the change; B) Within 10 business days of the change; C) Within 30 calendar days of the change; D) Within 30 business days of the change CBLE pg. 6	A) Within 10 calendar days of the change	Under 19 CFR 111.30(a), a broker must update their address information, including the office of record address, "within ten (10) calendar days" through a CBP-authorized electronic data interchange system or in writing if that system is unavailable. This specific timeframe makes option A the correct answer, as the regulation explicitly mandates a 10-calendar-day window rather than business days or a 30-day period. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.30.
Q14	As a licensed customs broker and sole proprietor of her business, Janet Martin is responsible for submitting a list of the names of her current employees to the processing Center. Ms. Martin has two employees, Spencer McGill and Logan Sharpe. Ms. Martin submitted Spencer McGill’s relevant information to the processing Center within 30 calendar days of his employment in 2021 and none of Mr. McGill’s information has changed since then. Logan Sharpe is a new employee, and Ms. Martin has not yet notified the processing Center of Ms. Sharpe’s employment. Which ONE of the following lists should Ms. Martin timely provide to the processing Center to best comply with CBP regulations? A) NEW EMPLOYEE: Name: Logan Sharpe SSN: 098-76-5432 Date of Birth: October 29, 1979 Place of Birth: Bentonville, AR Date of Hire: April 8, 2026 Current Home Address: 123 Evening Blvd., St. Louis, MO 12345; B) Name: Logan Sharpe SSN: 098-76-5432 Date of Birth: 1979 Place of Birth: Bentonville, AR Date of Hire: April 8, 2026 Current Mailing Address: PO Box 789, St. Louis, MO 12345; C) Name: Spencer McGill SSN: 123-45-6789 Date of Birth: July 12, 1990 Date of Hire: September 7, 2021 Current Home Address: 123 Morning Ln., St. Louis, MO 12345 Name: Logan Sharpe (NEW EMPLOYEE) SSN: 098-76-5432 Date of Birth: October 29, 1979 Date of Hire: April 8, 2026 Current Home Address: 123 Evening Blvd., St. Louis, MO 12345; D) Name: Spencer McGill; 123-45-6789 Date and Place of Birth: July 12, 1990; Washington, DC Date of Hire: September 7, 2021 Current Mailing Address: 123 Morning Ln., St. Louis, MO 12345 Name: Logan Sharpe; 098-76-5432 Date and Place of Birth: October 29, 1979; Bentonville, AR Date of Hire: April 8, 2026 Current Mailing Address: PO Box 789, St. Louis, MO 12345 CBLE pg. 7	A) NEW EMPLOYEE: Name: Logan Sharpe SSN: 098-76-5432 Date of Birth: October 29, 1979 Place of Birth: Bentonville, AR Date of Hire: April 8, 2026 Current Home Address: 123 Evening Blvd., St. Louis, MO 12345	Under 19 CFR 111.28(b)(2), a broker must submit a list of new employees within 30 days of their start of employment, which may be done by submitting "a list of the new employee(s) or an updated list of all employees, specifically noting the new employee(s)." Since Spencer McGill’s information has not changed, he does not need to be included in the submission, making Option A the correct choice because it lists only the new employee, Logan Sharpe, with the required details. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.28.
Q15	Which of the following documents must be filed with CBP in circumstances where a licensed customs broker's employee is authorized to transact customs business on behalf of the broker? A) Statement identifying an employee as authorized to transact customs business on a licensed broker's behalf; B) Power of attorney authorizing an employee to sign documents pertaining to customs business on a licensed broker's behalf; C) Evidence of employment by the brokerage, attached to each document signed by the employee; D) Power of attorney executed with the client, attached to each document signed by the employee	A) Statement identifying an employee as authorized to transact customs business on a licensed broker's behalf	Under 19 CFR 111.2(a)(2)(ii)(A)(2), a broker must file "a statement identifying the employee as authorized to transact customs business on his behalf" with the processing Center. While paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A)(1) requires a power of attorney for signing documents, it explicitly states that the broker is "not required to file the power of attorney with CBP." Therefore, the statement is the only document among the options that must be filed. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.2.

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Classification questions cite the tariff schedule (HTSUS), not the CFR, so we do not draft explanations for those; they are marked.
A few questions were withdrawn by CBP ("all examinees granted credit") or had two accepted answers; those carry no single explanation.
Machine-drafted explanations can be wrong. This is a study aid, not legal or tax advice, and not CBP's own explanation.
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