A broker fails to file the triennial status report by March 1 of the reporting year which results in the suspension of their license by operation of law. In addition to filing the triennial status report, what must the broker do to reinstate their license?
How to get there
This is a straight read of the triennial status report rule. The question asks what the broker must do in addition to filing the report, so look for the second requirement in the reinstatement sentence.
19 CFR 111.30(d)(4): Failure to file timelyIf a broker fails to file the report required under paragraph (d)(1) of this section by March 1 of the reporting year, the broker's license is suspended by operation of law on that date. … If the broker files the required report and pays the required fee within 60 calendar days of the date of the notice of suspension, the license will be reinstated. If the broker does not file the required report and pay the required fee within that 60-day period, the broker's license is revoked by operation of law …
Two things reinstate the license: file the report and pay the fee, both within 60 calendar days of the date of the notice of suspension. The fee is the triennial status report fee in § 111.96(d). That matches D.
Trap!
Watch the clock: the 60 days run from the date of the notice of suspension (CBP sends it by March 31), not from March 1 and not from the original February 1 due date. Miss that window and the license is revoked by operation of law. The broker would then need to apply for a new license.
Why the other choices are wrong
A) A $500 fine within 90 days: there's no fine in this provision. It requires the ordinary triennial fee, and the window is 60 days, not 90.
B) A protest within 180 days: protests under 19 CFR Part 174 challenge decisions like liquidation or classification. The suspension here happens by operation of law, and the regulation gives a specific cure: report plus fee.
C) An appeal within three months: Part 111 has no appeal step for this suspension. The fix is mechanical, not adjudicative, and the deadline is 60 calendar days.
Tip
Remember the dates in 111.30(d): report due February 1 of each third year (accepted any time in February), suspension by operation of law on March 1, notice by March 31, then 60 calendar days from the notice to file and pay.
Source: 19 CFR 111.30(d)(1), (d)(4) (eCFR).
CBP answer key: Answer D · 19 CFR 111.30(d)(4)Source: CBP past exams ↗