Valuation · CBLE study guide

Trade agreements & preferences

FTA and preference program rules, SPIs, origin rules, post-importation claims.

50past questions in CBLE Pass
≈2questions on a typical 80-question exam
HTSUS General Notes; 19 CFR Parts 10, 181, 182where 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.

SPI codes

“A+ or B is the pharmaceutical SPI.”

The rule: K = Agreement on Trade in Pharmaceutical Products; A+ = GSP least-developed; B = Automotive Products Trade Act; C = Aircraft agreement.

Remember: Pharma = K.

HTSUS GN 3(c)(i)

Post-importation preference claims

“A missed FTA claim must be made within days of importation.”

The rule: If preference wasn't claimed at entry, the importer may file a post-importation claim within 1 year after the date of importation (USMCA: 19 CFR 182.31-182.32; most other FTAs have similar 1-year rules).

Remember: 1 year from importation.

19 CFR 182.31

GSP article exclusions

“Textiles eligible in 1994 are excluded.”

The rule: GN 4(c) bars GSP designation for: textile and apparel not eligible on Jan 1, 1994; watches (unless the President decides otherwise); import-sensitive electronics, steel and glass; footwear, handbags, luggage, flat goods, work gloves and leather apparel not eligible on Apr 1, 1984; over-quota TRQ farm goods of Ch. 2-52; and other import-sensitive articles. GSP has been lapsed since Dec 31, 2020.

Remember: Read GN 4(c).

HTSUS General Note 4(c)

USMCA RVC methods

“Computed value or de minimis are RVC methods.”

The rule: USMCA regional value content uses the transaction value method or the net cost method.

Remember: TV method or NC method.

19 CFR Part 182, App. A, sec. 7

Valid SPI codes

“Any two-letter combination is a valid SPI.”

The rule: Valid SPIs are listed in HTSUS GN 3(c)(i) (e.g., S/S+ USMCA, P/P+ CAFTA-DR, K pharma, A/A*/A+ GSP). 'BU' is not one.

Remember: Check the GN 3(c)(i) table.

HTSUS GN 3(c)(i)

Where special programs live in the General Notes

“Pharmaceutical duty-free treatment is in General Note 14.”

The rule: The Agreement on Trade in Pharmaceutical Products is General Note 13 (symbol K).

Remember: Pharma = GN 13.

HTSUS General Note 13

Try a past question

October 2026 CBLE, question 70

Which ONE of the following articles qualifies for preferential tariff treatment under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA)?

AHula hoops that are, by value, 25% United States content and 10% Aruban content.

BBeach umbrellas that are, by value, 15% Jamaican content and 15% Costa Rican content.

CRum that is, by value, 100% Puerto Rican content. The rum is shipped to the Bahamas to add Bahamas-origin coconut flavor, bottled, and later exported from the Bahamas to the United States.

DSouvenir mugs that are, by value, 40% Haitian content that is shipped to Bermuda for warehousing outside customs control and later exported from Bermuda to the United States.

Show the answer and why

A. Incorrect. U.S. content counts only up to 15%: 15% + 10% = 25%, below 35%.

B. Incorrect. 30% is below the 35% requirement.

C. Correct. A product of Puerto Rico advanced in value in a beneficiary country (Bahamas) with beneficiary materials and imported directly qualifies (HTSUS GN 7(b)(v)).

D. Incorrect. Bermuda is not a beneficiary country and the goods were not imported directly.

HTSUS GN 7 · law as of 2026-11-09

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