Textbook chapter 1
Choose the correct entry procedure
Answer first
Choose the lawful procedure before the ACE code. Value alone does not guarantee informal entry, Type 06 is a consumption entry for FTZ merchandise rather than an FTZ admission, and warehouse or in-bond facts invoke their own parts. Answer first: choose the legal procedure from the facts before choosing an ACE code. Part 142 governs entry and release documentation, Part 143 permits informal entry only for eligible merchandise and generally uses the $2,500 value ceiling in §143.21, and Part 144 governs warehouse entries. Eligibility for an informal route is not automatic: statutory exclusions and CBP's authority to require formal entry still control. For the October 2026 CBLE, apply the designated 2025 CFR and ACE Instructions 2.4a rather than a later operational version.
Rule breakdown
Controlling rule and limits
19 CFR 142.3 and 142.21; 19 CFR 143.21–143.23; 19 CFR Part 144 ↗Answer first: choose the legal procedure from the facts before choosing an ACE code. Part 142 governs entry and release documentation, Part 143 permits informal entry only for eligible merchandise and generally uses the $2,500 value ceiling in §143.21, and Part 144 governs warehouse entries. Eligibility for an informal route is not automatic: statutory exclusions and CBP's authority to require formal entry still control. For the October 2026 CBLE, apply the designated 2025 CFR and ACE Instructions 2.4a rather than a later operational version. The learning objective is to distinguish formal, informal, immediate-delivery, and warehouse procedures before selecting the ACE entry type.; exceptions and triggering facts must be identified before calculation or conclusion.
Authority navigation and proof
19 CFR 142.3 and 142.21; 19 CFR 143.21–143.23; 19 CFR Part 144 ↗Choose the lawful procedure before the ACE code. Value alone does not guarantee informal entry, Type 06 is a consumption entry for FTZ merchandise rather than an FTZ admission, and warehouse or in-bond facts invoke their own parts. Navigate the controlling material through 19 CFR → Part 142 → entry documentation and immediate-delivery procedure; 19 CFR → Part 143 → eligibility, form, and classes of informal entry; 19 CFR → Part 144 → warehouse and rewarehouse entries. Record the decisive text and fact rather than relying on memory or a search snippet.
Decision path
- 1
Set the legal gate for Choose the correct entry procedure
Distinguish formal, informal, immediate-delivery, and warehouse procedures before selecting the ACE entry type. Separate the controlling trigger from descriptive labels, then list the facts that could activate an exception or a different legal path.
- 2
Prove the rule in 19 CFR 142.3 and 142.21
For one shipment, identify the release procedure, test informal-entry eligibility, and then confirm whether a warehouse route changes the governing Part. Use this route: Read §142.3, then §§143.21–143.23, and open Part 144 only if the facts request bonded-warehouse entry.. Preserve the exact subsection, field instruction, note, or rate line that supports the answer.
- 3
Test the boundary of Choose the correct entry procedure
Choose the lawful procedure before the ACE code. Value alone does not guarantee informal entry, Type 06 is a consumption entry for FTZ merchandise rather than an FTZ admission, and warehouse or in-bond facts invoke their own parts. Apply that boundary to the stated facts, identify the fact that would reverse the result, and only then adopt the worked-example conclusion: The shipment may be eligible for informal entry, but value alone does not guarantee that route.
Worked example
Scenario: Ordinary merchandise valued at $1,800 is imported for consumption. No special restriction applies. Does the value alone guarantee informal entry?
- 1.Identify consumption, not warehouse or in-bond movement, as the requested procedure.
- 2.Compare the value with the general ceiling in §143.21.
- 3.Check the merchandise classes and exclusions in §§143.21–143.23.
- 4.Preserve CBP's authority to require formal entry even when the value test is met.
- 5.Boundary check: change one decisive fact identified by this research task—For one shipment, identify the release procedure, test informal-entry eligibility, and then confirm whether a warehouse route changes the governing Part.—and explain whether the conclusion would change under 19 CFR 142.3 and 142.21; 19 CFR 143.21–143.23; 19 CFR Part 144.
Conclusion: The shipment may be eligible for informal entry, but value alone does not guarantee that route.
Common traps and corrections
× Treating an ACE entry-type code as the source of legal eligibility.
✓ This shortcut fails because “Treating an ACE entry-type code as the source of legal eligibility.” skips a controlling distinction. Choose the lawful procedure before the ACE code. Value alone does not guarantee informal entry, Type 06 is a consumption entry for FTZ merchandise rather than an FTZ admission, and warehouse or in-bond facts invoke their own parts. Re-run the source route in Read §142.3, then §§143.21–143.23, and open Part 144 only if the facts request bonded-warehouse entry. and state the decisive fact before selecting the result.
× Assuming every shipment below $2,500 must be entered informally.
✓ This shortcut fails because “Assuming every shipment below $2,500 must be entered informally.” skips a controlling distinction. Choose the lawful procedure before the ACE code. Value alone does not guarantee informal entry, Type 06 is a consumption entry for FTZ merchandise rather than an FTZ admission, and warehouse or in-bond facts invoke their own parts. Re-run the source route in Read §142.3, then §§143.21–143.23, and open Part 144 only if the facts request bonded-warehouse entry. and state the decisive fact before selecting the result.
× Applying Choose the correct entry procedure without proving both the decisive fact and the controlling source edition.
✓ Choose the lawful procedure before the ACE code. Value alone does not guarantee informal entry, Type 06 is a consumption entry for FTZ merchandise rather than an FTZ admission, and warehouse or in-bond facts invoke their own parts. Navigate the controlling material through 19 CFR → Part 142 → entry documentation and immediate-delivery procedure; 19 CFR → Part 143 → eligibility, form, and classes of informal entry; 19 CFR → Part 144 → warehouse and rewarehouse entries. Record the decisive text and fact rather than relying on memory or a search snippet. For the October 2026 CBLE, use the designated edition; for live work, separately date and verify the current source rather than blending the two lanes.
Frequently asked questions
Which fact controls first when applying Choose the correct entry procedure?
Choose the lawful procedure before the ACE code. Value alone does not guarantee informal entry, Type 06 is a consumption entry for FTZ merchandise rather than an FTZ admission, and warehouse or in-bond facts invoke their own parts. Start with 19 CFR 142.3 and 142.21, identify the trigger and any exception, and use the decision path before calculating or choosing a familiar label.
Where should I verify Choose the correct entry procedure for the exam and for live work?
Use the cited exam-edition source cards for the October 2026 CBLE and preserve their pinpoint text. For a live transaction, separately re-check the current statute, eCFR, HTS, or CBP operational source listed for this chapter; a newer source does not silently rewrite the exam edition.
Official sources and editions
- 19 CFR Part 141 (2025): Title 19 CFR, 2025 Annual Edition, Part 141
October 2026 CBLE-designated 2025 Annual CFR; current eCFR must be checked separately for live transactions.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- 19 CFR Part 142 (2025): Title 19 CFR, 2025 Annual Edition, Part 142
October 2026 CBLE-designated 2025 Annual CFR; current eCFR must be checked separately for live transactions.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- 19 CFR Part 143 (2025): Title 19 CFR, 2025 Annual Edition, Part 143
October 2026 CBLE-designated annual rules for informal and special filing routes; live operations require a current check.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- ACE Entry Summary Instructions 2.4a: ACE Entry Summary Instructions ↗
October 2026 CBLE-designated Version 2.4a; later operational CATAIR material is a separate current-practice source.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- CBP Directive 3530-002A: Right to Make Entry Directive
CBP-designated directive for the October 2026 examination; read with the designated CFR edition.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- 19 U.S.C. 1484: Entry of Merchandise ↗
Official U.S. Code source for the statutory entry baseline; exam answers remain tied to designated reference editions.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- 19 CFR 142.3 and 142.21: 19 CFR → Part 142 → entry documentation and immediate-delivery procedure
Current legal baseline; confirm the edition designated for the exam sitting Reviewed for this textbook chapter on 2026-08-19.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- 19 CFR 143.21–143.23: 19 CFR → Part 143 → eligibility, form, and classes of informal entry
Current legal baseline; confirm the edition designated for the exam sitting Reviewed for this textbook chapter on 2026-08-19.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19
- 19 CFR Part 144: 19 CFR → Part 144 → warehouse and rewarehouse entries
Current legal baseline; confirm the edition designated for the exam sitting Reviewed for this textbook chapter on 2026-08-19.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-19