On June 30, 2017, CBP published a final rule in the Federal Register regarding the customs broker exam process.  Previously CBP had published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) to modernize the customs broker’s examination provisions which is now made final. Specifically, CBP proposed amending the customs broker’s examination provisions, which are contained in 19 CFR part 111, to permit automation of the examination.

From now on the exam will be all-electronic with benefits to both CBP and the trade, such as a faster processing time, which lets examinees know their results more quickly and efficiently, and a significant reduction in administrative duties for CBP employees.

Additionally, the twice-yearly exams will now take place on fourth Wednesday in October and April.

However, as the electronic exam uses all private facilities with professional proctors, this automated method will be more expensive than the paper exam. Therefore, the fee will increase from $200 to $390.

The new efficiencies gained will be worth the extra money, we think.  Read more from CBP here.  Review sample exam here.