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Entry / Entry Summary · CBLE study guide

Bonded warehouses

Warehouse classes, entries, withdrawals, periods, proprietor duties.

Common traps

Wrong answers on past exams cluster around a few beliefs. Here is each one, and what the rule actually says.

Bonded warehouse proprietor duties

“Withdrawn goods must be removed immediately, or all goods may be stored anywhere.”

The rule: Permit folders are filed within 30 calendar days after final withdrawal; goods of one entry may be stored in several locations if inventory control identifies each location and quantity; withdrawn goods left in the warehouse must be segregated or marked.

Remember: Track it, segregate it, close the file in 30 days.

19 CFR 19.12(d)(4) · 19 CFR 19.4(b) · 19 CFR 19.6(b)(2)

Warehouse period runs from importation

“The 5-year warehouse period runs from entry, or is 1 or 3 years.”

The rule: Merchandise may remain in a bonded warehouse up to 5 years from the date of importation, unless extended.

Remember: 5 years from importation.

19 CFR 144.5

Customs warehouse classes

“Class numbers are interchangeable.”

The rule: Class 2 importer's private; 3 public; 4 heavy/bulky, animals, liquids in bulk; 5 bonded bins and grain elevators; 6 manufacturing cigars; 7 smelting/refining; 8 cleaning, sorting, repacking; 9 duty-free stores; 10 international travel merchandise; 11 general order (19.1).

Remember: Learn the 11 classes.

19 CFR 19.1

Warehouse withdrawal for transportation: required data

“Visa or license numbers are mandatory on the in-bond withdrawal.”

The rule: A warehouse withdrawal for transportation must show original entry data, quantity before/withdrawn/remaining, consignee, entered value, estimated duties, admissibility and statistics. Visa/permit/license numbers 'may be provided'.

Remember: Required list in 144.36(d); IDs under 18.1 are optional.

19 CFR 144.32 · 19 CFR 144.36(d) · 19 CFR 18.1

Minimum warehouse withdrawal quantity

“Partial packages may be withdrawn, or bulk minimum is larger.”

The rule: Withdrawals must be whole packages (bale, cask, box) or, for bulk, at least 1 ton or the entire quantity, whichever is smaller, unless the Commissioner authorizes otherwise.

Remember: Whole packages; bulk ≥ 1 ton.

19 CFR 144.33

Warehouse application contents

“Public/private status or merchandise description depend on the wrong warehouse type.”

The rule: The applicant states whether the warehouse is public or private (except class 2 and 7), describes merchandise for private warehouses, and must submit evidence of fire insurance (or insurer certificates).

Remember: Fire insurance evidence is always submitted.

19 CFR 19.2

Try a past question

October 2026 CBLE, question 44

Which ONE of the following statements is TRUE regarding an owner or lessee's application to establish a bonded warehouse facility?

AThe applicant shall state whether the warehouse facility is to be operated as a public bonded warehouse, only if the application is for a class 2 warehouse.
BThe applicant shall state the general character of the merchandise to be stored therein, only if the warehouse facility is to be operated as a public bonded warehouse.
CIf the proposed warehouse is covered by fire insurance, the applicant shall submit evidence of the coverage.
DThe applicant shall prepare and have available at the warehouse a certification stating that the inventory control and recordkeeping system meets the requirements of 19 CFR 19.12, but this certification is not to be submitted with the application.
Show the answer and why

A. Incorrect. The public/private statement is required except for class 2 and class 7 warehouses (19 CFR 19.2(a)).

B. Incorrect. The general character of merchandise is stated for private bonded warehouses.

C. Correct. The applicant submits evidence of fire insurance coverage on the proposed warehouse (19 CFR 19.2(b)).

D. Incorrect. The proprietor's certification that the inventory control system meets 19.12 is submitted with the application (19 CFR 19.2(a)).

19 CFR 19.2 · law as of 2026-11-09

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