How the U.S. Customs Service Works (2024)

FAQs

How to answer CBP questions? ›

Answer loudly, clearly, and briefly. Don't think for a long time before you answer. Sometimes the questions just require “yes” or “no” as an answer. Also, remember that you should have all necessary documents ready (visa, work permit, birth certificate, etc.)

CBP Officers

Officers inspect merchandise, agriculture, luggage, and people coming into and out of the United States, intercepting drugs, weapons, and other illegal goods before they get into the wrong hands and stopping people from trying to illegally enter the country. Some CBP Officers work in different countries.

As always, you have the right to remain silent. Refusing to answer CBP's questions may result in the agent persisting with questioning. If this occurs, you should ask if you are being detained.

Pacing yourself – You will be given 120 minutes (2 hours) to complete the 31 questions in the CAT. This means that, on average, you should be spending just under 4 minutes on a question. attention on the content of the test.

Officials will likely ask you questions (as deemed necessary by the process or official). What is the nature of your visit? How long are you staying? Where will you be staying?

More specifically, Customs processes all the persons, baggage, cargo and mail crossing the nation's borders; it interdicts and seizes contraband, including illegal drugs; it assesses and collects duties, excise taxes, fees and penalties on imported merchandise; it protects American business, labor and intellectual ...

We care about your experience with us, and we want you to have the opportunity to ask us a question, give us a compliment, or submit a complaint. The CBP Information Center handles all of these interactions, but if you have additional questions about how we process these inquiries please see below.

Generally, customs officers may stop people at the border to determine whether they are admissible to the United States, and they may search people's belongings for contraband. This is true even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage.

Do not go off on tangents or tell your life story. Only answer the question that is being asked and do not provide more details than necessary. Remember, the immigration officer is doing many interviews a day, and you do not want to annoy them.

Can you refuse to answer questions at CBP? ›

These questions should be brief and related to verifying one's lawful presence in the U.S. Although these situations are scary, and it may seem that CBP agents are giving you an order when they ask you questions, you are not required to answer and can simply say you do not wish to do so.

You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents or any other officials. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country.

The Border Patrol believes that individuals who marginally fail either the language or reasoning sections of the test can still pass the Academy and succeed as a Border Patrol agent. According to INS Human Resources personnel, the change has resulted in an increased average passing rate of 38-40 percent.

Avoid twisting your spine. This test is a measure of cardiovascular endurance. It is a timed test that requires you to step in cadence with the audio CD at a rate of 120 beats per minute for 5 minutes. You will be allowed a practice opportunity to step in cadence (up, up, down, down).

The proctored exam contains the following 3 assessments: Logical Reasoning, Arithmetic Reasoning, and Writing Skills. To be eligible, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70.

If you don't have anything to declare say “No” and carry on with your journey or allow the customs official to check your bag.

How Hard Is the CBP Entrance Exam? The CBP Entrance Exam is intentionally designed to be hard, since it shortlists the most capable candidates who possess the required abilities to succeed both in the tough CBP academy training and in the demanding day-to-day job.