CBP Issues EIP/RLF Messages Regarding Government Contract Entries and Failure to Provide the Electronic Invoice
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued two ABI administrative messages addressed to Electronic Invoice Program (EIP)/Remote Location Filing (RLF) filers, which (1) discuss the fact that government contract entries may not be filed under EIP/RLF and (2) remind filers about the need to provide the electronic invoice when required under EIP/RLF. Highlights of these messages are as follows:
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Government contract entries not allowed under EIP/RLF. CBP is informing filers that they may not file government contract entries (properly known as Defense Contract Management Area Operations entries) under EIP/RLF. Therefore, CBP states that paper entries must be submitted.
CBP notes that most often these shipments involve emergency war material classifiable under HTS 9808.00.3000. According to CBP, these entries must be held by CBP for long periods of time pending submission of certificates. Certificates must then be matched up with the entry in order for the importer to receive the free rate of duty under HTS 9808.00.3000.
Reminder on when electronic invoice is owed on EIP/RLF. CBP notes that many filers are not providing the electronic invoice when required within the Electronic Invoice Program (EIP) and Remote Location Filing (RLF) prototype.
CBP states that failure to meet this obligation causes delays in release and increased processing costs. According to CBP, the most common missed indicators that an electronic invoice is owed are when an entry summary receives a Census warning, and when an electronic invoice is requested via the "US" message.
CBP notes that ports have the authority to issue penalties for failure to provide the complete entry package. Penalties may include liquidated damages for "no file" or "late file" for the summaries involved.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 10/25/04 news, 04102510, for BP summary of CBP's most recent messages clarifying earlier messages on preparing electronic invoices, RLF entries.)
CBP contact - John Leonard (202) 344-2687
Adm 04-2319, dated 10/27/04, available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2004/2004-2319.ADM.
Adm: 04-2320, dated 10/27/04, available at http://www.brokerpower.com/cgi-bin/adminsearch/admmsg.view.pl?article=2004/2004-2320.ADM.