Import / Export Faster

Assess duties, collect statistics, and determine whether other requirements of law have been met. 

File shipment data prior to carrier notifying CBP of departure. 

 Drawback is the refund of certain duties, internal revenue taxes and certain fees collected upon the importation of goods and refunded when the merchandise is exported or destroyed. 

Extract reference files provide up-to-date data on:
·Region/District/Port Codes
·Country Codes
·Foreign Port Codes
·Carrier Codes
·Harmonized Tariff Schedule
·Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) Codes Extract reference files are useful for editing and cross-referencing input data.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) notifies Automated Commercial System (ACE) users through the Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) when an update has been made to a file. This allows users to update their own files.  

Operational Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) users have the capability to query a manufacturer identification (MID) code to determine whether the manufacturer name and address is on file. If the MID is not on file, the message MID CODE NOT ON FILE is system generated. If the MID is on file, but without name and address information, the message MID NAME/ADDRESS NOT ON FILE is returned. If the MID is on file, the MID number is returned to the filer along with the following data: 

·International Organization for Standardization (ISO) country code 

·Firm Name 

·Street Address 

·City 

·ZIP or Postal Code 

  Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Annotated (HTS) input and output records provide data related to a tariff number. HTS records are either HTS update transaction records, HTS query records, or HTS extract reference file records. Update Transactions The Automated Commercial System (ACS) HTS file is updated either by magnetic tape or by Record Identifiers V1 through V9 and VA through VC. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) offers the trade community a complete copy of the HTS on magnetic tape. It should be noted that the data on the tape is based on the latest data received from the U.S. International Trade Commission. HTS is updated in ACS and the magnetic tape is sent in early December to all those who request it. The price is $500. (For ABI participants there is no charge.)

Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZs) are secure areas under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervision, often considered outside CBP territory once activated. Located near CBP ports, FTZs function like international free-trade zones. Established under the Foreign-Trade Zones Act of 1934, they are governed by FTZ Regulations (15 CFR Part 400) and CBP Regulations (19 CFR Part 146).

Merchandise in FTZs can be stored, exhibited, assembled, manufactured, or processed without standard CBP entry procedures or duty payments until it enters CBP territory. Domestic goods moved into an FTZ for export can be considered exported for excise tax rebates and drawbacks.

FTZs are operated by qualified corporations or contractors on a public utility basis, providing storage and distribution space. Subzones, which are typically private plant sites, are authorized for operations not suited for general-purpose zones.

The in-bond process streamlines trade by letting importers and logistics partners choose ports for cargo entry into U.S. commerce via immediate transportation (IT) or in-transit through the U.S. to another country. This includes transportation/exportation (T&E) entries (where cargo enters at one U.S. port and exits at another) and immediate export (IE) entries (where cargo is imported and exported from the same port). 

In-bond cargo must be transported by carriers with a CBP-approved bond, covering various transportation modes. This bond ensures compliance with legal obligations and guarantees payment to CBP if conditions are not met. CBP can impose liquidated damages if the bonded party violates regulations.

Under NAFTA, drawback and duty deferral programs apply to goods imported into Canada or the U.S. and exported to the other country from January 1, 1996, and to goods involving Mexico from January 1, 2001. Drawback involves refunding or reducing customs duties on goods imported and later exported. Refunds or reductions are limited to the lesser of the duties paid on importation or on the finished product when exported. NAFTA does not cover refunds for antidumping or countervailing duties, quantitative import restrictions, tariff rate quotas, or fees under the U.S. Agricultural Adjustment Act. Same condition substitution drawback was eliminated as of January 1, 1994.