Customs Broker License Exam in 2020

The Customs Broker License Exam (CBLE) is offered by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) twice per year, once in April and once in October. This exam is notoriously challenging to pass, but those who succeed can go on to become Licensed Customs Brokers (LCB), an impressive achievement in the Trade Compliance field, generally acknowledge to indicate a high level of expertise. This year has seen interesting developments as CBP attempted to update the exam format with the increased use of digital tools while simultaneously facing the global COVID-19 pandemic challenges.

With COVID-19 difficulties in the second quarter of 2020, CBP canceled the exam scheduled for April of 2020. On October 8, 2020, CBP administered the CBLE in two sessions to accommodate those that missed the April 2020 exam. Nine members of the Allyn International team sat for the exam at four different locations. Additional measures were taken to ensure the safety of participants, including mandatory mask-wearing and hand washing. However, the test takers were not socially distanced.

Additionally, CBP took extraordinary measures to ensure the integrity of the exam and guard against potential cheating. Two separate exams with different questions were issued to the morning and afternoon test-takers. Other security measures included strict limitations on what items the test takers were allowed to bring to the exam; for example, water bottles were forbidden. There was even a warning that test-takers may be physically searched, although no Allyn employees experienced this on the exam day.

Test takers are allowed 4.5 hours to answer the 80 questions of the exam. Substantial materials must be referenced to answer the exam questions, including the 19 Code of Federal Regulations (19 CFR) and the United States Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USHTS). Typically, each test taker brings these and other materials to the exam, often lugging a suitcase full of books with them to the exam.

This year, CBP tried to make all the reference material available on the digital testing platform. As with any change, there were issues with using the new tool. Some test takers experienced technical difficulties, with the platform shutting down each time the materials were opened and error messages stating there was not enough memory. When this happened, the proctors did not always stop the timer, and precious time was lost. Some test takers were not able to finish the exam in the 4.5 hours allotted.

Now that the test is over, some test takers are protesting the entire exam. CBP has responded that they are investigating the circumstances and will delay releasing the test results until they have an adequate response. On October 19, CBP released the exam questions, and CBP stated that the answer key would be made available around the same time as the test takers’ scores are issued.

I wish all those that took the exam the best and hope for a passing grade for them.

To learn more about how the US Customs Broker License Exam, please contact us at sales@allynintl.com.

Contributor: Heather Oskvarek

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About Allyn International

Allyn International is dedicated to providing high quality, customer centric services and solutions for the global marketplace. Allyn's core products include transportation management, logistics sourcing, freight forwarding, supply chain consulting, tax management and global trade compliance. Allyn clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 firms. Allyn conducts business in more than 20 languages and has extensive experience in both developed and emerging markets. Highly trained experts are positioned throughout North America, Europe and Asia and Allyn regional headquarters are strategically located in Fort Myers FL USA, Shanghai P.R. CHINA and Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC. For more information, log on to www.allynintl.com.