Our virtual Customs Broker Exam Preparation course prepares attendees to take and pass the customs broker examination. Its extensive overview of the customs brokerage/import process makes it also a great option for those looking for training in this field.
The customs broker examination is given every April and October. Our course runs twice yearly, beginning two months before each exam date. The next course will start in August 2026 in preparation for the October 2026 Exam
Before You Register
- The most important factor in passing the exam is the amount of time spent on preparation!
- Total instructional time is roughly 40 hours over the length of the course with an additional 60+ hours of homework, including practice exams.
- Attendees must be able to commit to 100 hours of course-related work to succeed in passing the exam.
Fee
- The fee for the course is $1,250.
Course Content
- The course covers topics such as broker regulations, entry, classification, valuation, free trade agreements, antidumping/countervailing duty, fines, penalties and forfeitures, bonds, country of origin marking, liquidation, search and seizure, and intellectual property.
- Instruction also covers exam‑specific test‑taking mechanics, including highlighting and tabbing strategy, time management, and effective navigation of reference materials to maximize exam performance.
Course Structure
- The course is 100% virtual. You may attend from anywhere as long as you have a reliable internet connection and a modern computer (see Software Requirements section below).
- The new course format is a combination of recorded lessons and live sessions to review the material and ask questions. A detailed schedule will be provided after registration.
- After release, all recordings will be available to view and replay at your leisure
- All attendees who have paid the full registration amount will have access to a Course Materials webpage with announcements, homework, practice exams, and class recordings. This page will be populated just before the course begins.
Required Materials
- All attendees must have the required materials prior to the first class:
- the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
- Section 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Customs Duties.
- These materials take time to ship, so it is best to order them 2 weeks before the course starts. As these materials are sold by a third party availability may vary depending the third party’s inventory levels, print schedules, and any changes to the editions designated by CBP for the exam.
- Materials are available through the Government Printing Office and Boskage Publications/Thomson Reuters. The approximate cost for these materials is $600-$700. Attendees who purchase the materials from Boskage will receive a 10 percent discount. After registration, please contact webinarorganizers@strtrade.com to receive the discount code.
- The required version of the testing materials for each exam is determined by CBP. CBP should announce the required version roughly 2 months prior to the exam date. Students are encouraged to monitor the CBP website for announcements about the required version of the materials. Students can watch for this announcement using the following link and navigating down the page to, “Preparing for the CBLE – Reference Materials”.
- Additional materials, including a manual, required U.S. Customs directives, copies of past examinations, and additional hand-out materials will be provided throughout the course to help students in their studies.
Required Software
The course is conducted virtually via the software GoTo Webinar. Please make sure that your device meets the necessary technical criteria for participation, as technical issues are not grounds for a refund. The vast majority of modern computers are able to use GoTo Webinar with no setup or issues.
About the Customs Broker Exam
- The exam will be given in an electronic format at testing locations throughout the country.
- All candidates must submit the test application documentation directly to Customs and pay the exam fee of $390.
- The exam is considered “open book.” Customs will allow attendees to bring the required materials and any other written materials to the exam, but no electronic devices are allowed.
- All exam applications are now processed electronically through the Customs website.
Requirements for Receiving a Customs Broker License
- Must be a U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age
- Must attain at least a 75 percent grade on the exam
- Must be of good moral character (a background check is performed on all candidates who have met the other requirements prior to the license actually being issued)
- Cannot be an officer or employee of the U.S. government
Cancellations & Refunds
- Cancellations must be received a minimum of 5 business days prior to the date of an event to receive a full refund. Otherwise, you will be provided with materials as a registrant, regardless of attendance.
- Once the course has started, no refunds will be issued for this course for any circumstances. However, it may be possible to defer your attendance to a later course. Deferrals are granted on a case-by-case basis.
- Deposits are also non-refundable.
Returning Students
Students who do not pass the Customs Broker Exam after completing this course may retake the course for half price.