If you’re thinking of becoming a customs broker, then you most probably understand already that this won’t exactly be a walk in the park. As vital parts of the shipping industry, customs brokers carry a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. And, surely, the career itself is appealing, but we cannot deny the fact that it can be complex at times, as well as that becoming a professional in this area is often quite difficult.

Read more on the career itself: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customs_broker. 

Why is it difficult to become a professional in this area, though? Well, you must have already heard about the customs broker exam, which is known for its difficulty, and a low pass rate. The exam is designed to test your knowledge of entry procedures, trade agreements, customs regulations, valuation, and classification. So, there’s no doubt that there is a lot to learn to pass it.

Of course, if you are serious about this career, then you are also ready to learn. Yet, you would certainly like to avoid having to retake the exam several times, because you want to get your career started as soon as possible. What this precisely means is that you want to pass the customs broker exam on your first try, and given those low passing rates, you may be feeling a bit discouraged about it.

Well, the good news is that there is no reason for you to get discouraged, as long as you are ready to put in the effort. Sure, the passing rate is low, but that’s not the thing that should be on your mind, as it can get you demotivated before you even begin learning. The truth is that, the more you learn, the higher your chances of passing, so that is what you should focus on, instead of worrying about the rate. Apart from that, below I will offer some tips that will help you get ready for the exam and pass it on your first try. Read more on how to start this career.

Check the Covered Topics

The very first thing you will have to do is get properly informed about the topics that will be covered by the exam. This is not hidden information, so you will be able to easily find it online, by visiting the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) website and searching for the relevant topic.

Broker responsibilities, free trade agreements, entry requirements, and tariff classification are only some of the areas that you’ll have to master to pass the exam. Once you check which topics will be covered, make sure to write those down, because knowing what to expect will help you focus on the right areas, as well as prepare the necessary studying materials.

Prepare All the Studying Materials

Speaking of the studying materials, this should be your next step. And, chances are that you are wondering how to find and get all the materials ready. Well, once again, you will most likely find the necessary information on the books you need online, or you can perhaps discuss this with other customs brokers, that is, people who have already passed the exam. They may even be willing to share their books and materials, which is sure to come quite in handy.

Create a Study Plan

The key to learning something is, of course, consistency. This further means that you should create a study plan and stick to it. Set aside a portion of time every single day to study, because that’s how you build consistency. Sure, you have other things in life, but being consistent and sticking to your studying plan is quite important if you want to pass the exam and become a customs broker. So, don’t procrastinate.

Join a Study Group

You could perhaps also join a study group, thus partnering up with other people who want to take this exam as well.

Studying in groups can often be quite motivating, which is why a lot of people are doing it. You can search for these groups online, or you can form your own if you happen to know some people who want to take the exam as well.

Find a Good Course

Perhaps one of the best things you can do when trying to study for this exam is to find a great course that will break down all the topics and make everything clear. As you can see at Customs Broker Geek, there are courses out there covering everything you need to know to pass this test and become a customs broker. It is your task to carefully check out different courses, compare them, and choose the best one for you.

Take Practice Exams

Finally, what you should do is take practice exams. Perhaps this will be a part of a great course. Or, perhaps you can find the previous questions available at CBP, and then create a test for yourself. In any case, practice does make perfect.