October 2024 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 October 2024 exam had 80 questions. We explain 9 of them; the 9 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.

October 2024 sample: 9 of 80 questions CBP October 2024 sitting · sealed copy 2026-09-07

#	Question and options	CBP official answer	Our explanation
Q1	Which ONE of the following permits constitute sufficient permit authority for a customs broker to conduct customs business within the customs territory of the U.S.? A) National permit; B) Association or corporation permit; C) Partnership permit; D) No permit	A) National permit	19 CFR 111.2(b) explicitly states that a "national permit issued to a broker under § 111.19 will constitute sufficient permit authority for the broker to conduct customs business within the customs territory of the United States." This regulation directly supports option A as the correct answer by defining the national permit as the specific authority required for such operations. The text does not identify association, corporation, or partnership permits as sufficient for this purpose, making the other options incorrect. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.2.
Q2	Who must exercise responsible supervision and control over the transaction of customs business of an association or corporation that is a broker? A) All employees of a licensed association or corporation who also hold a customs broker license.; B) Only licensed employees who are also the license qualifier and/or permit qualifier for the association or corporation.; C) Every officer of a licensed association or corporation, even if the officer is not a licensed broker.; D) Every licensed officer of a licensed association or corporation.	D) Every licensed officer of a licensed association or corporation.	Under 19 CFR 111.28(a), the regulation explicitly states that "every licensed officer of an association or corporation that is a broker must exercise responsible supervision and control" over the transaction of customs business. This requirement applies specifically to officers who hold a license, which aligns with Option D, rather than all employees or unlicensed officers. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.28.
Q3	While preparing the entry documents for a shipment on behalf of its client Angel Industries (Angel), Shady CHB (Shady) sees that the insurance value for the shipment is significantly lower than the commercial invoice value. In response to Shady's inquiry concerning the differences, Angel explains that there are two commercial invoices for the shipment. The first commercial invoice is the real invoice from the shipper which shows the lower amount that is used for insurance purposes. The second commercial invoice is created by Angel at a higher amount and is used as the invoice for calculating Customs value and upon which it pays the duties, taxes, and fees. Angel explains that it uses the two invoice system in its accounting records to reduce its reportable profit for income tax purposes. Shady's attorney advises Shady to terminate its relationship with Angel because the “double invoice scheme” is fraudulent. Of the choices below, what is Shady's best next step? A) Shady documents the double invoice scheme and immediately terminates its relationship with Angel and reports to CBP the client's name, date of termination, and the reason for the termination.; B) Shady will file the entry using the lower, correct value and will advise Angel that they will only file entry in the future using the actual invoice from the shipper.; C) Shady will file the entry at the value requested by Angel and will keep Angel as a client because the potential fraud does not involve CBP.; D) Shady will file the entry as requested by Angel because it is not fraud to pay more in duties, taxes, and fees than actually owed.	A) Shady documents the double invoice scheme and immediately terminates its relationship with Angel and reports to CBP the client's name, date of termination, and the reason for the termination.	Under 19 CFR 111.32, a broker "must document and report to CBP when the broker separates from or cancels representation of a client as a result of determining the client is intentionally attempting to use the broker to defraud the U.S. Government or commit any criminal act against the U.S. Government." The regulation further specifies that this report "must include the client name, date of separation or cancellation, and reason for the separation or cancellation." Therefore, Shady's best next step is to terminate the relationship and file this specific report with CBP, as Angel's double invoice scheme constitutes an intentional attempt to defraud the government. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.32.
Q5	____ must be set forth in or attached to an application for a new national permit to describe how responsible supervision and control will be exercised over the customs business conducted under the national permit. A) A supervision plan; B) A regulation proposal; C) A status report; D) A control strategy	A) A supervision plan	19 CFR 111.19(b)(8) explicitly requires that a national permit application include "A supervision plan describing how responsible supervision and control will be exercised over the customs business conducted under the national permit." This specific regulatory language directly matches Option A, confirming that a supervision plan is the required document to be set forth or attached to the application. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.19.
Q7	A duly licensed customs broker was named in and properly served a U.S CBP summons signed by a Center Director. The summons requires the broker to provide CBP with documentation for 10 entries the broker filed on behalf of Company Z within the last three years so as to help CBP ascertain the correctness of the 10 entries. The broker terminated Company Z as a client 10 months before the summons’ issuance and the POA was revoked. Company Z has not provided the broker with specific written instructions regarding responding to a summons within its now revoked power of attorney document. How must the broker respond to the Customs’ summons? A) Provide CBP with the entry files requested because the broker is legally obligated to make such records available to CBP.; B) Return the summons to CBP because it must be signed by an auditor or special agent to be legally effective.; C) Forward the summons to Company Z and notify the Center Director that it has been forwarded to the party obligated to respond to the summons.; D) No response to the summons is required because the record retention period for Company Z's entry filed expired upon the termination of the broker-client relationship.	A) Provide CBP with the entry files requested because the broker is legally obligated to make such records available to CBP.	Under 19 CFR 163.7(a), a valid summons may be issued to any person who "Filed a declaration, entry, or drawback claim with Customs," which directly applies to the broker in this scenario. Because the broker is a proper recipient of the summons under this regulation, they are legally obligated to produce the requested records, making option A the correct response. The termination of the client relationship or the revocation of the power of attorney does not exempt the broker from this statutory duty to comply with a properly served summons. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 163.7.
Q10	The grantor of a customs power of attorney (POA) to a licensed customs brokerage business is a limited partnership and imports textile goods. The grantor also has a POA with a freight forwarder with a special grant allowing the freight forwarder to appoint subagents, including customs brokers. Which of the following statements is legally FALSE? A) The names of all general partners and limited partners in the limited partnership must be listed on the POA agreement between the customs broker and the limited partnership.; B) The POA between the limited partnership and the customs broker must have attached the partnership agreement for the limited partnership.; C) If the POA between the limited partneship and the customs broker was executed on March 1, 2024, a new power of attorney must be executed on or before March 1, 2026.; D) Even though the grantor gave the power to the freight forwarder to appoint a subagent, the grantor is still required to have a POA with the customs broker directly.	A) The names of all general partners and limited partners in the limited partnership must be listed on the POA agreement between the customs broker and the limited partnership.	Option A is legally false because 19 CFR 141.39(a)(2) explicitly states that a power of attorney granted by a limited partnership "need only state the names of the general partners who have authority to bind the firm," rather than requiring the names of all general and limited partners as Option A suggests. The regulation further requires that a copy of the partnership agreement accompany the power of attorney, which supports the validity of Option B. Therefore, the official answer is correct because the cited text limits the disclosure requirement to general partners with binding authority. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 141.39.
Q11	Which of the following limitations in a limited power of attorney between a broker and an importer would NOT be permitted under Customs regulations? A) Both the importer and the broker are corporations and the power of attorney agreement, executed on October 27, 2024, specifies that it is valid until October 27, 2026.; B) Both the importer and the broker are corporations and the power of attorney agreement specifies that the broker may only file entry on the importer's shipments arriving at the Newark/New York Customs port of entry.; C) Both the importer and the broker are partnerships and the power of attorney agreement, executed on October 27, 2024, specifies that it is valid until October 31, 2026.; D) Both the importer and the broker are individuals and the power of attorney agreement specifies that the only customs business that the broker may perform on behalf of the importer is to make, sign, and file protests.	C) Both the importer and the broker are partnerships and the power of attorney agreement, executed on October 27, 2024, specifies that it is valid until October 31, 2026.	Under 19 CFR 141.34, powers of attorney issued by a partnership are strictly limited to a period not exceeding 2 years from the date of execution. Option C is not permitted because the agreement was executed on October 27, 2024, and specifies a validity date of October 31, 2026, which exceeds the two-year limit by four days. The other options are permissible because corporations and individuals are not subject to this specific two-year cap, and limiting the scope of authority to specific ports or business types is allowed. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 141.34.
Q13	If a penalty is assessed or a seizure is made and less than 180 days remain before the statute of limitations may be asserted as a defense, the Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer may specify in the seizure or penalty notice a reasonable period of time, but not less than __________, for the filing of a petition for relief. A) 7 working days; B) 7 days including weekends; C) 10 business days; D) 30 working days	A) 7 working days	The regulation explicitly states in 19 CFR 171.2(e) that when less than 180 days remain before the statute of limitations can be asserted, the officer may specify a reasonable period "but not less than 7 working days" for filing a petition. This text directly supports option A as the correct answer, distinguishing "working days" from other timeframes like calendar days or business days. Therefore, the minimum specified time is 7 working days. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 171.2.
Q14	Which ONE of the following is subject to mandatory seizure under 19 USC 1595a(c)? A) Merchandise that is stolen, smuggled, or clandestinely imported or introduced.; B) Merchandise in which copyright, trademark, or trade name protection violations are involved.; C) Merchandise marked intentionally in violation of 19 USC 1304.; D) Merchandise that requires a license to import and is not accomplanied by such license.	A) Merchandise that is stolen, smuggled, or clandestinely imported or introduced.	Under 19 CFR 162.23(a), mandatory seizure applies to specific items introduced contrary to law, explicitly listing "Merchandise that is stolen, smuggled, or clandestinely imported or introduced" in paragraph (1). Options B, C, and D describe scenarios found in section (b) of the regulation, which governs permissive rather than mandatory seizures. Therefore, only option A is subject to mandatory seizure under the cited text. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 162.23.

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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.
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