CBP Announces QP/WP In-Bond Processing Changes

QP in-bonds can now be done for less than full bill quantity;

WP arrival/export updates can only be at the in-bond level; and

Bar codes on QP 7512s.

(QP/WP, the electronic in-bond module, is an Automated Broker Interface (ABI) in-bond processing system that allows ABI filers to create and process in-bond shipments.)

QP in-bonds can now be done for less than full bill quantity. Effective August 21, 2004, CBP states that the QP application will allow in-bond filing at less than full bill quantity. This means that multiple QP in-bonds can now be filed against the same import bill, provided the mode of transportation of the importation is ocean, rail, or truck.

CBP states, for example, that if the import bill is for 1,000 units, the user can now initiate a QP in-bond for 50 units to Port 1, 100 units to Port 2, an additional 75 units also going to Port 1, and make an entry on the balance.

To use the less than full bill quantity feature will require a software change. The specified quantity will be captured in the QP30 record in positions 69 to 78. CBP states that it is acceptable to do full bill quantity QPs.

WP arrival/export updates can only be done at the in-bond level. As a reminder, CBP states that it has previously agreed to do all arrival/export update processing of QP in-bonds. While updates can still be done via WP, they are not required of the QP filer.

CBP states that if the user elects to transmit WP updates, the updates must be done at the in-bond level. CBP states that the changes made to allow QP at less than full bill quantity have resulted in the elimination of updates at the bill and container level.

According to CBP, the initiator of the QP must continue to transmit any updates to the "In-Bond Carrier ID" data in the QP10 record.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 07/15/03 news, 03071505, for previous BP summary on CBP's performance of arrival and exportation updates in the Automated Commercial System (ACS) for QP/WP in-bonds.)

Bar codes added to QP 7512s. During a series of public meetings held this summer at land border ports, CBP states that it announced the addition of a bar code to the 7512 in-bond document.

Under the Trade Act of 2002, CBP mandates the use of automated in-bond. In-bonds not transmitted by an automated carrier can be provided to CBP either via QP or the Customs Automated Forms Entry System (CAFES). As CBP intends to process only bar coded documents at land border primary booths, this will necessitate the addition of a bar code to the QP 7512 for expeditious processing.

The QP 7512 bar code will follow the existing standard for a medium density 3 of 9 format currently used for the Pre-Arrival Processing System (PAPS) and Border Release Advanced Screening and Selectivity (BRASS).

The data carried in the bar code will be: QP01NNNNNNNNN (QP to designate the program, zero one to designate the version, and the nine digit in-bond number).

According to CBP, the bar code can be printed by software on the 7512, applied as a sticker, or attached as a cover sheet and submitted with the 7512 and 7533 documents. Unlike PAPS, there are no specific size requirements for the QP bar code. CBP states that the bar code should be placed in a position similar to that of the CAFES bar code or with the existing phrase "QP Inbond Authorized" in the description field.

CBP states that all of the above changes are reflected in the July 2004 version of the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/operations_support/automated_systems/abi/catair/).

CBP's administrative message (Adm: 04-1892, dated 08/23/04) available at

http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2004/2004-1892.ADM.