Customs Broker Exam Prep

Track study progress for the U.S. Customs Broker License Examination

April
Target Exam Date
80
Questions
75%
Passing Score
4.5 hrs
Exam Duration

Study Progress

15%
~15 hours completed ~85 hours remaining

Exam Schedule

Primary Target

April 2025
Registration opens ~2 months before

Backup Date

October 2025
If April doesn't work out

Study Topics

Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS)

25%
Classification rules, GRIs, chapters 1-97

Title 19 CFR (Customs Regulations)

10%
Entry procedures, bonding, drawback

Customs Valuation

20%
Transaction value, additions, deductions

Country of Origin

15%
Marking rules, substantial transformation, FTAs

Entry Process

10%
Entry types, documentation, liquidation

Other Agency Requirements

5%
FDA, USDA, EPA, FCC requirements

Weekly Study Schedule

30-60 minutes per day, alongside HontzaTrack development

Mon
HTSUS
Tue
CFR 19
Wed
Valuation
Thu
Origin
Fri
Entry
Sat
Practice
Sun
Review

Study Resources

  • Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTSUS)

    Official tariff schedule from USITC - required reference material

  • Title 19 Code of Federal Regulations

    Customs regulations - key reference for entry procedures

  • CBP Informed Compliance Publications

    Free guidance documents from CBP on specific topics

  • Past Exam Questions

    CBP publishes previous exams - essential for practice

  • Boskage Commerce Publications

    Popular study guides and practice exams (paid resource)

Exam Strategy

Open Book Format

The exam is open book. Know WHERE to find information, not just the information itself. Tab your HTSUS and CFR.

Time Management

4.5 hours for 80 questions = ~3.4 min per question. Skip hard questions and return to them.

Classification Focus

HTSUS classification is heavily weighted. Master the General Rules of Interpretation (GRIs).

Practice Exams

Take timed practice exams under realistic conditions. CBP publishes past exams for free.

Why This Matters

The customs broker license is the key that unlocks HontzaClear. Without it, Hontza Global cannot offer customs brokerage services directly.

With License

Full customs brokerage with high margins. Complete control over HontzaClear service.

Without License

Must partner with licensed broker. Lower margins, less control, but faster to market.