Home · APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS)
APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS)
This certification is designed for customs agents, freight forwarders, and logistics professionals who prepare and submit customs declarations in the UK. Passing this exam validates an individual's proficiency with the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and associated UK customs procedures.
Written against the published specification.
Pass mark 26/4060 minutesReal test fee £295 + VATAPMG International (in partnership with ChamberCustoms)How many can I get wrong?
About this practice. Revision Robin is built and maintained by Bloor Engineering Ltd, a UK-registered company. Our APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS) questions are written and reviewed in-house to match the current syllabus, each with a plain-English worked explanation. They are original practice material, not the official exam questions and not affiliated with or endorsed by APMG International (in partnership with ChamberCustoms). Always confirm current test rules, fees and content with the official provider. See our Terms and Privacy.
Little and often beats one big session. Five minutes on the bus counts.
Free practice questions
Try 3 real APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS) questions
Have a go, then reveal the worked explanation. A taster from a bank of 203 original questions. Unlock for unlimited drills and full timed mocks.
Q1. Which UK government department is primarily responsible for the administration of customs, collection of duties, and control of goods entering and leaving Great Britain?
A. Department for Business and Trade (DBT)
B. His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
C. The Home Office
D. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
HMRC is the UK's tax, payments, and customs authority, responsible for administering and enforcing customs laws and collecting duties and taxes.
Q2. An agent completes a CDS declaration for an importer using 'indirect representation'. An underpayment of customs duty is later discovered by HMRC. Who is legally responsible for paying the outstanding debt?
A. The importer only, as they provided the incorrect information.
B. The agent only, as they hold the customs authorisations.
C. Both the agent and the importer are jointly and severally liable.
D. The freight forwarder who transported the goods.
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: C. Both the agent and the importer are jointly and severally liable.
Indirect representation means the agent acts in their own name but on behalf of the principal, making both parties jointly and severally liable for the customs debt.
Q3. According to GIR 3(b), how should a composite good made of multiple materials (e.g., a leather-bound notebook with a metal clasp) be classified?
A. Under the heading for the material with the highest value
B. Under the heading for the component which gives the good its essential character
C. By averaging the duty rates of all components
D. Under the heading which occurs last in numerical order among those which equally merit consideration
Show answer & explanation
✓ Answer: B. Under the heading for the component which gives the good its essential character
GIR 3(b) directs that mixtures or composite goods should be classified by the material or component that imparts their essential character.
Exam mode
Full mock exam
40 random questions, real timing, marked against the official pass mark. Different every time.
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Practice material only. This is revision practice, not official training, assessment or certification, and not a substitute for the required course or supervised experience. Always confirm the current requirements with the official awarding body or test provider before relying on it.
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Topic drills
Ten quick questions on one topic, marked instantly with explanations.
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Who has to sit the APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS)
Who needs a APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS)?
Professionals working in or supporting international trade, including customs agents, import/export professionals, and trade compliance officers, to ensure compliance with the UK's CDS system.
The real APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS): format
How many questions are in the APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS)?
The real APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS) has 40 questions and lasts 60 minutes. Our mock uses 40 questions in 60 minutes.
What is the APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS) pass mark?
Real exam pass mark: 26/40. Our mock marks you at 26 out of 40, the threshold we mark against.
What it costs, and what a resit costs
How much does the APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS) cost?
Real exam fee: £395 + VAT. Rebooking after a fail: After official results processing.
Why people fail it
Why do people fail the APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS)?
Incorrect commodity (HS) codes on declarations.
Errors in VAT and duty calculations or goods valuation.
Inaccurate or incomplete supporting documentation.
Figures for the real exam from vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm with the test provider before you book.
APMG Customs Clearance Accredited Agent (CDS): common questions
Frequently asked
How long do you get?
The test is timed at 60 minutes. Our full mock runs on the same clock so you can practise your pacing.
Are these the real exam questions?
No. Our questions are original and written to match the current syllabus, so they give realistic practice without copying the official paper. Every answer comes with a plain-English explanation. Always confirm current rules and content with APMG International (in partnership with ChamberCustoms).