SJC Customs Training

So, if you decide you DO want to take the Customs Broker License Exam, what are the steps you should take NOW to put yourself in the best position to be successful on the exam (assuming you wish to take the October exam, which is in approximately three and a half months)?

Clear Your Summer Calendar As Much As Possible

By September,  you will need approximately 20 – 25 hours per week to study adequately for the exam.  From July through August, you will need 10 to 20 hours per week on a gradually heavier schedule.  To the extent possible, clear your August & September schedule of any out of town trips and major events.  Consider asking for time off during the week preceding the exam (September 28 – October 2).

Decide on a Study Strategy and/or a Study Program

Have you prepared or taken the exam before?  How recently?  If you have taken a prep course and the exam recently, you may wish to consider independent study or a live review course such as SJC.  Independent study is possible and effective for those who have self-discipline and initiative.   Are you organized, efficient, motivated?  Then, plan out a study schedule, perhaps using one that you used in the past and take plenty of practice exams.  Perhaps join a study group (with similarly motivated folks) and sign up to the famous Yahoo group for would-be customs brokers.

If you are average or slightly above average motivated, organized and efficient, you should consider giving yourself some structure for your review.  You could consider taking an on-line version of a prep course or purchase a study guide from any number of commercial prep course providers.  You should also consider taking a cost-effective live course such as SJC that not only provides an organized, weekly study schedule but also an opportunity to hear live review of core material and to interact with an experienced instructor, thereby deepening understanding and clarity on core concepts and topics.

Review Primary Exam Documents & Familiarize Yourself with CBP.gov

Bookmark the following pages on http://www.cbp.gov :

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/broker/broker_exam/

and

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/

Familiarize yourself with the Notice of Examination, Examination Instructions, and Exam Archive areas by reading the Notice and instructions for the previous exam (April 2009).   Monitor this space closely for the upcoming announcement for the October exam.

Begin Acquiring Required & Helpful Materials

To be successful on this open-book exam, you will need to equip yourself with the relevant texts and supplies.  In general, these materials fall into three categories: 1) legal texts–regulations, tariff schedule, and directives, 2) office supplies–catalog rack and posts (to hold your texts), divider pages, and highlighters, and 3) test aids–”cheat sheets”, outlines, and notes that you can bring into the exam with you.  Click here for more details on the materials you will need for the exam.

Read Customs “Overview” Publications

In actuality, CBP.gov provides all the study material you need to prepare for the exam.  There you can find several extremely helpful publications that are freely downloadable from CBP.gov.  Among the more popular and prominent ones you should take the time to read at some point during your preparation are:

Importing into the United States

NAFTA Textile Classification

Apparel Terminology

Trade Agreements Powerpoint Overview

Also, keep in mind the Informed Compliance Publications section of the website.  The more of these publications you read, the better feel you will have for CBP’s perspective on various topics and issues.