Entry / Entry Summary · CBLE study guide
Entry & release
Right to make entry, time of entry, rate date, entry and summary deadlines, informal entry.
- 52past questions in CBLE Pass
- ≈4questions on a typical 80-question exam
- 19 CFR Parts 141-143where the rules live
Common traps
Wrong answers on past exams cluster around a few beliefs. Here is each one, and what the rule actually says.
Entry documents for release
“A filer code is a required supporting document.”
The rule: Entry for release requires CBP Form 3461 (or electronic), evidence of right to make entry, a commercial invoice, packing lists and other documents to determine admissibility (141.61 / 142.3).
Remember: Documents, not a filer code.
19 CFR 142.3
Informal entry rules
“Informal entries allow up to $800, PSCs or any goods.”
The rule: Informal entry is limited to $2,500 (with exceptions), excludes restricted/quota goods, liquidates on release, can't be corrected by PSC and generally needs no bond (143.21; 159.10).
Remember: $2,500; no PSC; liquidates at release.
19 CFR 143.21 · 19 CFR 159.10
Rate-date rules
“The rate is fixed at arrival or warehousing.”
The rule: Rates are those in effect on the date of entry (141.68). For warehouse withdrawals, the rate on the withdrawal date applies. Immediate delivery entries take effect when the entry summary is filed with deposits (141.68–141.69).
Remember: Date of entry/withdrawal controls.
19 CFR 141.68 · 19 CFR 141.69
Late entry summary with a single entry bond
“CBP penalizes, cancels, or simply bills duty.”
The rule: If the entry summary is late, CBP demands liquidated damages: the full bond amount for a single entry bond.
Remember: Late summary = liquidated damages.
19 CFR 142.15
Entry and unentered-cargo clocks
“Entry and custody notices share a 5, 10, 30, 60 or 90-day period.”
The rule: Entry is due within 15 calendar days of landing or arrival at the in-bond destination (141.5). A custodian of unentered in-bond goods notifies CBP within 20 calendar days (123.10).
Remember: Entry 15; custody notice 20.
19 CFR 141.5 · 19 CFR 123.10(b)
Owner or purchaser for right to make entry
“Freight consolidators are owners or purchasers.”
The rule: Owners or purchasers include parties with a financial interest such as buying/selling agents, consignees for trade fairs, lessees and repairers; a freight consolidator has no such interest (Directive 3530-002A).
Remember: Financial interest test.
CBP Directive 3530-002A · 19 CFR 141.1
Try a past question
October 2026 CBLE, question 14
Customs Broker Jones receives an electronic notification via ABI Message UC2 from CBP requesting documents for an entry submitted that same day. How must Broker Jones respond?
Show the answer and why
A. Incorrect. CF 28 is used for requests more than 30 days after the entry summary is filed (ACE BRPD v12 sec. 1.13).
B. Incorrect. A pre-summary UC2 request is due at entry summary filing, not 30 days later.
C. Incorrect. The due date is already set by regulation.
D. Correct. Documents requested by UC2 before summary filing must be provided by the time of entry summary filing (19 CFR 142.3; ACE BRPD v12 sec. 1.13).
19 CFR 142.3 · ACE BRPD v12 sec. 1.13 · law as of 2026-11-09
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