CBP Again Revises its Trade Update on Hurricane Katrina and Vessel Boarding Instructions for New Orleans

In addition, CBP has issued revised vessel boarding instructions for the Port of New Orleans, LA.

Highlights of CBP's Latest Hurricane Katrina Update

The revised version of CBP's Hurricane Katrina Trade Update reflects several additions or modifications, among other things, which are highlighted as follows:

New Orleans Field Office has designated oversight of certain LA & MS ports. This trade update states that the New Orleans Field Office now has designated oversight on all cargo clearance and import related processing for the Ports of Baton Rouge, LA; Gramercy, LA; Shreveport, LA; Lake Charles, LA; and Morgan City, LA; Gulfport, MS; Pascagoula, MS; and Vicksburg, MS. The Atlanta Field Office had previously been designated oversight of these ports. The New Orleans Field Office already had designated oversight of the Port of New Orleans.

All ports in LA, AR, TN, MS, and AL are operational. CBP states that all ports in Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama are operational and are processing entries and entry summaries.

Jones Act waiver ended on October 24, 2005. CBP states that the waiver of the coastwise merchandise statute (46 USC App. 883, also known as the Jones Act) for the distribution of petroleum and refined petroleum products ended on October 24, 2005 at 12:01 am EDT. Unless otherwise instructed, this type of movement on non-coastwise qualified vessels that did not complete unlading of the cargo by 12:01 am, October 24, 2005, violates the Jones Act.

However, the DHS Secretary's decision to waive the coastwise laws generally for the transportation of petroleum released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, whether pursuant to an exchange, sale or otherwise, undertaken in response to the circumstances arising from Hurricane Katrina will not terminate and will remain in place until otherwise instructed.

CBP also states that it can expect to receive requests for permission to use non-coastwise-qualified vessels to transport such diverted cargo from the U.S. port of unlading to another U.S. port. The underlying issue with respect to these scenarios is the coastwise merchandise statute, which provides that no merchandise shall be transported between U.S. points on a non-coastwise-qualified vessel. Consequently, the use of such vessels not covered by the Secretary's waiver violates the law.

ABI transmissions. The contact information for anyone with questions regarding ABI transmissions has changed. Such inquirers should contact ABI Client Representative Ms. Cynthia Dupre at (225) 389-0665 or Ms. Wanda Smith at (713) 387-7294.

Filing applications for duty allowances. CBP states that for importers that have suffered loss or destruction of merchandise due Hurricane Katrina while the merchandise was in CBP custody and was not released, applications for duty allowances for cargo and entry summaries with duties should be filed in the appropriate port of entry.

Broker local and national permits. According to CBP, the port of New Orleans has resumed processing of applications for local and national permits. Annual user fee and triennial fees/status reports should be submitted to the Area Port issuing the permit or broker license.

Filer code issuance. CBP states that the port of New Orleans is accepting filer code requests.

Contact information. CBP has changed certain contact information in this document. Entry control issues may be direct to Ms. Patty Burke, Supervisory Entry Control Officer at (504) 441-9214. Questions regarding daily tactical operations may be directed to Ms. Eileen Shaw, Assistant Port Director, Tactical at (504) 269-6128.

Highlights of Revised Vessel Boarding Instructions for New Orleans

CBP has also substantially revised its vessel boarding instructions for the Port of New Orleans and states that any questions concerning the instructions can be directed to CBP at the Port of New Orleans (504) 269-6154.

Vessel boarding and crew inspections. With regard to vessel boarding and crew inspections, CBP states that vessel agents reporting inbound vessel arrivals for CBP in the Port of New Orleans will contact the assignment desk located at the Coffee Drive office. Arrivals must be called in between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Sunday through Saturday. CBP states that the telephone number in New Orleans is 504.269.6154.

Paroles. CBP states that all requests for paroles in New Orleans should be directed to the CBP office located at the Louis Armstrong International Airport, the telephone number is (504) 467-1713. CBP had previously stated that the CBP Baton Rouge, LA office should be contacted.

Vessel entrance and clearance. According to CBP, entrance and clearance processing has resumed at the Coffee Drive office in New Orleans. The Marine Desk is open between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm Sunday through Saturday. However, processing is by appointment only, with no appointments being scheduled after 4:30 pm.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 10/20/05 news, 05102025, for BP summary of CBP's previous version of the trade update for Hurricane Katrina.

See ITT's Online Archives or 09/16/05 news, 05091635 1, for BP summary of the previous version of the vessel boarding instructions for New Orleans.)

CBP Revised Trade Update for Hurricane Katrina (dated 12/12/05) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/communications_to_trade/katrina/trade_update_katrina.xml

CBP Revised Vessel Boarding Instructions (dated 12/12/05) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/communications_to_trade/katrina/revised_vessel.xml