October 2025 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 2025 exam had 80 questions. We explain 18 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.

October 2025 sample: 10 of 80 questions CBP October 2025 sitting · sealed copy 2026-09-07

#	Question and options	CBP official answer	Our explanation
Q1	Which ONE of the following constitutes an impermissible "misuse of license or permit" pursuant to CBP regulations pertaining to licensed customs brokers? A) A broker allows an unlicensed person, who is not an employee, to solicit, promote or perform any customs business or transaction using the broker's license.; B) A broker influences or attempts to influence the conduct of any representative of the Department of Homeland Security in any pending matter by the use of duress or false accusation.; C) A broker procures or attempts to procure information from Government records to which they have not been granted access by proper authority.; D) A broker knowingly uses false or misleading representations to procure employment pertaining to a customs matter.	A) A broker allows an unlicensed person, who is not an employee, to solicit, promote or perform any customs business or transaction using the broker's license.	Option A is the correct answer because it directly describes the specific prohibition found in 19 CFR 111.37, which states that a broker "must not allow his license, permit or name to be used by or for any unlicensed person... other than his own employees authorized to act for him, in the solicitation, promotion or performance of any customs business or transaction." The other options describe different violations, such as influencing government representatives or using false representations, which are not defined as "misuse of license or permit" under the cited regulation. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.37.
Q2	AA Customs Brokers, Inc. has a corporate customs broker license and a national permit. Tom, the individually licensed broker who was the corporation's national permit qualifier, has recently resigned from AA Customs Brokers, Inc. What is the maximum number of days from Tom's effective resignation date that AA Customs Brokers, Inc. has to find a new licensed customs broker to qualify its national permit to avoid their permit's revocation by operation of law? A) 120 days; B) 60 days; C) 30 days; D) 180 days	D) 180 days	The regulation states that if a corporate broker fails to employ a licensed customs broker who is the national permit qualifier during any continuous period of 180 days, the national permit is revoked by operation of law. Therefore, AA Customs Brokers, Inc. has a maximum of 180 days from Tom's resignation to secure a new qualifier to avoid this automatic revocation. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.45.
Q3	By what date must an initial petition for relief in a seizure and a penalty case be filed? A) Within 60 days of the mailing of the notice of seizure or notice of penalty.; B) Within 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice of seizure or notice of penalty.; C) For seizure cases, within 60 days of the date of mailing of the notice of seizure, and for penalty cases, within 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice of penalty.; D) For seizure cases, within 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice of seizure, and for penalty cases, within 60 days of the mailing of the notice of penalty incurred.	D) For seizure cases, within 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice of seizure, and for penalty cases, within 60 days of the mailing of the notice of penalty incurred.	Under 19 CFR 171.2(b), the filing deadlines differ depending on the type of case. For seizures, the regulation states that petitions "must be filed within 30 days from the date of mailing of the notice of seizure," while for penalties, they "must be filed within 60 days of the mailing of the notice of penalty incurred." Therefore, Option D is the correct answer because it accurately reflects these distinct timeframes for each specific scenario. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 171.2.
Q4	What are the requirements for CBP to consider an offer in compromise under the Tariff Act of 1930 (as amended) arising from a violation of Customs law? A) Tender of a 20% deposit of the total sum offered and an offer in writing.; B) Tender of the specific sum offered and an offer in writing.; C) Tender of the domestic value of the claim and an offer in writing.; D) Tender of at least $1,000.00 and an offer in writing. CBLE P. 3	B) Tender of the specific sum offered and an offer in writing.	Under 19 CFR 161.5, an offer in compromise must be "stated in writing addressed to the Commissioner of Customs," which satisfies the written requirement in the options. Furthermore, the regulation explicitly states that no offer tendering a "specific sum of money" will be considered until that exact amount is properly deposited, meaning the proponent must tender the specific sum offered rather than a percentage or minimum amount. Therefore, option B is the correct answer because it accurately reflects both the written offer and the deposit of the specific sum required by the cited text. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 161.5.
Q5	Which ONE of the following is NOT required to be maintained by a broker as evidence of their registration for, attendance at, or completion of the qualifying continuing broker education? A) The location where the broker completed the qualifying continuing broker education.; B) The name of the entity or person who provided the qualifying continuing broker education.; C) The date(s) the broker attended the qualifying continuing broker education.; D) The date(s) the broker received proof of completing the qualifying continuing broker education.	D) The date(s) the broker received proof of completing the qualifying continuing broker education.	Under 19 CFR 111.102(d)(1), brokers must retain specific details including the "name of the provider or host," the "date(s) attended," and the "location of the qualifying continuing broker education." The regulation does not list the date the broker received proof of completion as a required record; instead, it requires retaining "any documentation received... that evidences" the participation. Therefore, option D is the item not explicitly required to be maintained. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.102.
Q6	Which people and/or entities must certify completion of the continuing broker education requirement with their status report required under 19 CFR 111.30(d)? i. Individually licensed brokers; ii. Partnerships with customs broker licenses; iii. Associations with customs broker licenses; iv. Corporations with customs broker licenses A) i; B) i and ii; C) ii, iii, and iv; D) i, ii, iii, and iv	A) i	The regulation explicitly states that the continuing broker education requirement applies to "individual brokers" and that they must certify completion with their status report under 19 CFR 111.30(d). Because the text limits this obligation to individual brokers, partnerships, associations, and corporations are not required to make this specific certification. Therefore, only option i is correct. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.101.
Q8	Suzy Smith is a licensed customs broker, and her license is overseen by the Processing Center located in Miami, Florida. Ms. Smith seeks to obtain a national permit in her individual capacity to transact customs business throughout the customs territory of the United States. Ms. Smith's application included the following information: (1) the applicant's broker license number and date of issuance; (2) the address, telephone number, and email address of the office designated by the applicant as the office of record; (3) the name, telephone number, and email address of the point of contact to be available to CBP to respond to issues related to the transaction of customs business; (4) a list of all employees together with the specific employee information prescribed in 19 CFR 111.28 for each employee; (5) the location where records will be retained; (6) the name, telephone number, and email address of the knowledgeable employee responsible for broker-wide records maintenance and financial recordkeeping requirements; (7) and a receipt showing that the fees specified in 19 CFR 111.96(b) and (c) have been paid. What additional materials must Ms. Smith provide to complete her application for a national permit? A) A request to move oversight of her license to CBP Headquarters.; B) A waiver for the national permit examination.; C) A supervision plan describing how she will exercise responsible supervision and control over the customs business conducted under the national permit.; D) A list of her past employers, regardless of whether the employment was related to the transaction of customs business.	C) A supervision plan describing how she will exercise responsible supervision and control over the customs business conducted under the national permit.	The official answer is correct because 19 CFR 111.19(b)(8) explicitly requires the application to include "A supervision plan describing how responsible supervision and control will be exercised over the customs business conducted under the national permit, including compliance with § 111.28." Since Ms. Smith's application listed items (1) through (7) and (9) through (11) from the regulation but omitted this specific supervision plan, that is the missing material required to complete her application. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 111.19.
Q9	When a protest is filed on behalf of a principal by an agent, who is not an attorney at law or a customhouse broker or his authorized employee, what document must also be filed to demonstrate the agent is authorized to file protest? A) Articles of incorporation; B) Certificate of authority; C) Letter of intent; D) Power of attorney	D) Power of attorney	Under 19 CFR 174.3(a), when a protest is filed by an agent who is not an attorney at law or a customhouse broker, the regulation states that "there shall have been filed or shall be filed with the protest a power of attorney." This document must either specifically authorize the agent to make, sign, and file the protest or grant unlimited authority, making option D the correct answer. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 174.3.
Q10	The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), an agency or office of the United States Government, hires a licensed customs broker for the importation of armor equipment to be used in a new concept unmanned tank style vehicle. The DoD instructs the broker that a power of attorney is NOT required due to the nature and sensitivity of the importation, and the fact that the equipment is for the account of the DoD. Which of the below statements is TRUE? A) When merchandise is imported by the DoD it is automatically duty-free.; B) The power of attorney is not required where the DoD is to act as Importer of Record (IOR) due to inherent sensitivities.; C) When merchandise is imported by a U.S. government agency it is exempt from examination by CBP.; D) Merchandise imported by, or for the account of the DoD, is subject to ordinary Customs entry requirements and a Power of attorney is required if a customs broker is used. CBLE P. 5	D) Merchandise imported by, or for the account of the DoD, is subject to ordinary Customs entry requirements and a Power of attorney is required if a customs broker is used. CBLE P. 5	Option D is correct because 19 CFR 141.46 explicitly states that a customhouse broker is required to obtain a valid power of attorney before transacting Customs business in the name of their principal. This requirement applies regardless of the principal's status, meaning the DoD's instruction that a power of attorney is not required due to sensitivity is invalid under the regulation. Therefore, the broker must still secure the power of attorney to legally act on behalf of the DoD. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 141.46.
Q11	Which of the following parties is required to maintain records and render them for examination and inspection by CBP? A) A consumer who purchases an imported automobile from a domestic dealer.; B) A traveler who has made an oral declaration of non-commercial goods under the traveler's personal exemption.; C) A person who knowingly causes the importation of merchandise carried under bond into the United States.; D) A consumer who unknowingly purchases imported goods from a local store.	C) A person who knowingly causes the importation of merchandise carried under bond into the United States.	Option C is correct because 19 CFR 163.2(a)(1)(ii) explicitly requires a person who "Knowingly causes the importation or transportation or storage of merchandise carried or held under bond" to maintain records and render them for examination. The regulation further clarifies in 19 CFR 163.2(b) that a consumer purchasing an imported automobile from a domestic dealer does not knowingly cause the importation, which eliminates Option A. Additionally, 19 CFR 163.2(e) states that a traveler who made an oral declaration for non-commercial goods within personal exemptions is not required to maintain supporting records, ruling out Option B. Drafted by a local model, checked by a second; quotes 163.2.

What this page cannot tell you

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.
New sittings appear here only after we manually add the CBP PDFs, which we do after each April and October exam.

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