CBP Will be Reviewing Textile and Apparel Entries (Penalties will be Pursued for Egregious Errors)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has posted a textile book transmittal (TBT)1 on its Web site which states that in its review of textile and apparel entry summaries, it has found both brokers and importers to have made egregious errors in the reporting of statistical data, such that the entry documents do not correctly reflect the transactions. CBP states that these errors occur in the reporting of quantity, country of origin, classification, and manufacturer identification number.
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CBP reminds that importer of record is responsible for using reasonable care. CBP notes that the importer of record is responsible, per 19 USC 1484, for using reasonable care to enter, classify, and value merchandise and to provide other information enabling CBP to properly assess duties, collect accurate statistics, and determine whether other requirements are met.
HQ will be reviewing textile and apparel entries for egregious errors and penalties will be pursued. CBP is also advising the trade community that CBP Headquarters (HQ) will be reviewing textile and apparel2 entries to identify egregious errors. When errors are identified, the ports will be directed to pursue penalties against brokers and importers, as applicable.
1CBP's Web site notes that TBTs are textile information issued for the trade community by the Textile Enforcement and Operations Division.
2CBP sources have stated that although this notice was written to address egregious errors found in textile and apparel entries, CBP is not precluded from reviewing and penalizing other types of commodities.
CBP contact - Nancy Mondich (202) 344-2166
TBT-07-003, dated 02/07/07, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/tbts/tbt2007/tbt_07_003.ctt/tbt_07_003.doc.