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Free CES Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Export Specialist (CES) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CES practice test to study every exam domain.

These 10 free CES questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the Certified Export Specialist blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: Block A - Export-Import Basics, Incoterms, Payment Terms, Documentary Drafts, and Letters of Credit

Question 1

A U.S. seller agrees to ship containerized industrial pumps from Dallas, Texas to a buyer in Hamburg, Germany. The buyer requests the seller use FOB Dallas as the Incoterm. The seller's freight forwarder should advise that:

  1. FOB Dallas is acceptable since the seller loads the goods at origin
  2. FCA Dallas is the appropriate term for this shipment
  3. FOB requires the seller to also arrange ocean freight
  4. CPT Hamburg should be used for all containerized cargo
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - FCA Dallas is the appropriate term for this shipment

Domain 2: Block B - U.S. Export Regulation - EAR, ITAR, OFAC, Anti-Boycott, BIS Enforcement, Export Licensing, ECCN/CCL, License Exceptions/NLR

Question 2

A beneficiary presents documents under an irrevocable letter of credit. The L/C describes the goods as "500 Units of Stainless Steel Butterfly Valves, 4-inch." The commercial invoice reads "500 Units of SS Butterfly Valves, 4-inch." Under UCP 600, the examining bank will MOST likely:

  1. Accept the documents since the abbreviation is commonly understood in trade
  2. Refuse the documents due to a discrepancy in the goods description
  3. Accept the documents if all other presented documents are consistent
  4. Request clarification from the issuing bank before making a determination
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Refuse the documents due to a discrepancy in the goods description

Domain 3: Block C - U.S. Export Clearance - FTR, AES, EEI/SED Filing, Schedule B Classification, Destination Control Statement, Recordkeeping, USPPI/Routed Export

Question 3

An exporter classifies an item under ECCN 5A002. The Commerce Country Chart shows an "X" under the NS1 column for the destination country. The exporter checks the ECCN entry and finds License Exception STA is listed as potentially available. Before using STA, the exporter must ALSO verify that:

  1. The item value does not exceed the LVS threshold for the ECCN
  2. The destination is among the 36 STA-eligible countries
  3. BIS has issued a CCATS classification for this specific item
  4. The consignee has provided a written end-use certificate
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - The destination is among the 36 STA-eligible countries

Domain 4: Block D - Destination Country Trade and Import Concerns; Customs Entry Documentation; Certificates of Origin; ATA Carnets

Question 4

A forwarder is preparing an ocean shipment to Brazil containing three items on a single conveyance: Item A (Schedule B 8471.30.0100, value $1,800), Item B (Schedule B 8471.30.0100, value $900), and Item C (Schedule B 8543.70.9960, value $2,400). None require an export license. For which item(s) must EEI be filed in AES?

  1. Item C only, because it has the highest individual value in the shipment
  2. Items A and B only, because they share a Schedule B and aggregate over $2,500
  3. Items A, B, and C, because the combined total shipment value exceeds the $2,500 filing threshold
  4. No EEI is required because no single item exceeds the $2,500 threshold
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Items A and B only, because they share a Schedule B and aggregate over $2,500

Domain 5: Block E - Ocean Transportation, Intermodal/Containerization, Bills of Lading, FMC Regulation of OFFs/NVOCCs, Tariffs/NSAs/NRAs

Question 5

A U.S. company is shipping industrial equipment on new wooden pallets and crating to Australia. The wood packing has not been treated or stamped. Upon arrival in Australia, the MOST likely consequence is that:

  1. The shipment will be assessed additional import duties and penalties on the packing materials
  2. Australian customs may deny entry, fumigate, or destroy the non-compliant wood
  3. The goods will clear normally since ISPM-15 applies only to EU member-state destinations
  4. The consignee will be required to obtain a retroactive phytosanitary certificate from USDA
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Australian customs may deny entry, fumigate, or destroy the non-compliant wood

Domain 6: Block F - Air Cargo Transportation and Air Waybills; Air Forwarder Services

Question 6

An ocean shipment weighs 14,000 kg and measures 42 CBM. The carrier's tariff quotes a rate of $85 per revenue ton (W/M). What is the total ocean freight charge for this shipment?

  1. $1,190 based on 14 weight tons
  2. $3,570 based on 42 measurement tons
  3. $3,400 based on 40 revenue tons
  4. $1,700 based on 20 weight tons
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - $3,570 based on 42 measurement tons

Domain 7: Block G - Dangerous Goods / HazMat Shipping - IMDG, ICAO/IATA, U.S. DOT 49 CFR, Hazard Class/Packing Group

Question 7

A carrier issues an ocean bill of lading with the notation "three cartons show water staining on exterior packaging" in the remarks section. The shipment is moving under a letter of credit that requires a "clean on-board bill of lading." This notation will:

  1. Have no effect because notations about exterior packaging are not considered clauses
  2. Create a documentary discrepancy that the bank will likely refuse
  3. Be acceptable if the beneficiary provides a separate third-party inspection certificate
  4. Require the carrier to issue a letter of indemnity before the vessel sails
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Create a documentary discrepancy that the bank will likely refuse

Domain 8: Block H - Shipping Risks, Carrier Liability, Marine Cargo Insurance, Cargo Loss/Claims

Question 8

Under 46 CFR Part 515, an NVOCC operating in U.S. foreign commerce must maintain a surety bond in the amount of:

  1. $50,000 per trade lane served
  2. $75,000
  3. $100,000 if also operating as a freight forwarder
  4. $150,000 for both licensed and registered NVOCCs
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - $75,000

Domain 9: Block I - CES Certification Exam / exam logistics block; not a substantive knowledge block

Question 9

An air cargo shipment consists of 4 crates with a total gross weight of 340 kg. Each crate measures 100 cm × 80 cm × 60 cm. Using the IATA volumetric formula, the chargeable weight for this shipment is:

  1. 340 kg, because actual weight exceeds volumetric weight
  2. 320 kg, based on the total volumetric weight of all four crates
  3. 128 kg, based on a single-crate volume
  4. 480 kg, based on total outer dimensions
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - 340 kg, because actual weight exceeds volumetric weight

More CES practice questions

Question 10

During an ocean voyage, the vessel's master orders 200 containers of cargo jettisoned overboard to prevent the ship from sinking in a severe storm. A shipper whose cargo was NOT jettisoned but arrived safely has marine cargo insurance under All-Risks terms. This shipper:

  1. Owes nothing because their cargo was not damaged or lost
  2. Must contribute proportionally to the General Average loss
  3. Can recover their contribution only if they filed a Sue and Labor claim
  4. Is exempt from contribution because All-Risks covers jettison losses
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Must contribute proportionally to the General Average loss

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