Customs brokers are private individuals, partnerships, associations or corporations licensed, regulated and empowered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to assist importers and exporters in meeting Federal requirements governing imports and exports. Brokers submit necessary information and appropriate payments to CBP on behalf of their clients and charge them a fee for this service. Brokers must have expertise in the entry procedures, admissibility requirements, classification, valuation, and the rates of duty and applicable taxes and fees for imported merchandise.

What is a Licensed Customs Broker?

Service Area Outcomes (SAO)

  • Learn about the field of customs brokerage and insights for good broker management
  • Learn about 19 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) of the United States, including the General Rules of Interpretation
  • Learn exam tips, including how to quickly reference information and what sections demand the most attention

Participant Eligibility

To become a Customs broker, you must be:

  • United States citizen
  • 21 years of age or older
  • Of "good moral character"
  • Cannot be a current federal employee

Curriculum Overview

If you’re planning on taking the U.S. Customs Broker Exam, preparation is key as the pass rate is historically low—less than 20% on average will pass. Previous examination questions are provided to familiarize you with the material covered and the format of the exam. Rigorous training in how to effectively research the exam questions within the time frame is also covered. Instructor handouts will also be provided during class that includes other pertinent reference materials recommended by the CBP for the exam.

You will need to purchase the most recent edition of Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 0 to 140, 141, to 199 and 200 to End and the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States.

This 10-week in-depth course provides an extensive review of exam topics including:

  • Broker Responsibilities
  • Classification and Valuation
  • Entry Requirements
  • NAFTA and Other Trade Agreements
  • Country of Origin Marking
  • Antidumping/Countervailing Duties
  • Drawbacks and Duty Deferral Programs
  • Fines, Penalties, & Forfeiture (FP&F)
  • Filing of Protests
  • Prohibited & Restricted Merchandise
  • Intellectual Property Rights and More!