Much has been written about the shortage of Licensed Customs Brokers, while demand for such compliance professionals has never been greater. An obvious cause of the shortage is the degree of difficulty of the CBLE (Customs Broker License Exam), for which a 15% pass rate is not unusual. Consider also the low salaries for LCBs as shown on the attached recruiter info. The laws of supply and demand don’t seem to be working for LCBs.

https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Licensed-Customs-Broker-Salary-in-Los-Angeles,CA

If you are scheduled to sit for the CBLE (Customs Broker License Exam) on October 22nd your preparations have most likely included practice exams as well as a deep dive into the HTS tariff and customs regulations. Not to mention blood, sweat, and tears.

Let me suggest also reviewing the notifications on the CBP website so that you don’t have an unexpected complication on exam day. The notifications include details about Covid restrictions, reference materials allowed, and ID/Proof of Citizenship requirements. There are separate sections for remote and in-person test takers.

You will find the info under this link:

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/customs-brokers/license-examination-notice-examination/cble-registration-information

Look for the heading It’s Exam Day !

Best of luck on October 22nd.

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7372638500371996672

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adhoclogistics_how-tough-is-the-cble-registration-for-activity-7367580768736387073-Alt_?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGVD3UBu7RY4T4x68-aqSLyiBDvybv-4A0

60 days to the next CBLE (Customs Broker License Exam) on October 22nd. From past experience and anecdotal information I know that this is not a lot of time to prepare. If you are sitting for the exam make a plan, download past exams, sign up for a prep course, and get started.

Also check out the Customs Broker Exam Assistance Group

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12862151

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:share:7363251249795801089

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dominic-mcgough-9a65741_riskmanagement-activity-7359931488064217088-UeWV?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGVD3UBu7RY4T4x68-aqSLyiBDvybv-4A0

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7359931488064217088?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7359931488064217088%2C7359960035277303808%29&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287359960035277303808%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7359931488064217088%29

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7359931488064217088?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7359931488064217088%2C7359960035277303808%29&replyUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A%28activity%3A7359931488064217088%2C7360052020457693185%29&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287359960035277303808%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7359931488064217088%29&dashReplyUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A%287360052020457693185%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7359931488064217088%29

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/adhoclogistics_customs-broker-license-exam-cble-activity-7360290136653242368-mlrU?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAGVD3UBu7RY4T4x68-aqSLyiBDvybv-4A0

No one wants to think about the Customs Broker License Exam in the middle of summer. If you like to plan ahead, however, here is some info about the October 2025 exam.

The next CBLE will be administered on October 22, 2025. Registration for the October 22, 2025 CBLE begins on Monday, August 11, 2025 and ends at 4:30 PM Eastern on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. For additional examination information use the Register Now! link below.

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/programs-administration/customs-brokers/license-examination-notice-examination

BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security) released an updated version of the Interactive CCL earlier this year. In my opinion the new version is much more user friendly than previous editions. It is easier to search by keywords and browse ECCN entries. Navigating and comparing the entries is still pretty time consuming, however.

Here is the link to the CCL:

https://www.bis.gov/regulations/ear/interactive-commerce-control-list?isExpanded=&category=&keyword=