October 2020 (AM) — Question 1
Of the following, which is required to have a license to transact customs business?
- AA foreign trade zone operator warehousing merchandise to be exported to Canada
- BAn importer acting on his own behalf
- CThe district permit qualifier of a customs broker✓ CBP's answer
- DA bonded carrier transporting merchandise for another party making entry to transport said merchandise in bond
- EAn employee of a customs broker who has been authorized to sign documents
Why this answer
19 CFR 111.2(a)(1) states the baseline rule that a license is required to transact customs business for others, and under the broker regulations of the period each district permit had to be supported by a qualifying individual who personally holds a broker's license, making the district permit qualifier the only listed party required to be licensed. The rule does not reach an importer acting on its own behalf, in-bond transportation and zone warehousing are not the transaction of customs business for others, and a broker's employee may be authorized to sign documents under the broker's supervision without a personal license — the employee option tempting because signing entries sounds like licensed activity. Watch for: Assuming an employee authorized to sign customs documents must personally hold a license.
Original CBLE Simulator explanation — the question and key above are CBP's; this analysis is ours. Verify against the current edition before relying on it in practice.
CBP's cited authority
Answer and citations as published in CBP's official answer key for the October 2020 (AM) examination.
Reading answers is easy. The exam is 80 of these in 4.5 hours.
Pass rates run 12–30%. Find out in 15 minutes whether you'd clear the 75% line today — free, no signup.