CBP, FDA and FWS Update Guidance on Cargo Affected by Hurricanes
CBP and other agencies issued updated guidance on cargo processing affected by port closures caused by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. For weekly estimated entries receiving an error message due to the entry date being more than seven days from the filing date due to system downtime, “it may be best to adjust the elected date to match the current filing date and notify the port about the change as required,” CBP said. “Trade partners and CBP should make note in their records that this occurred to avoid post audit problems later.”
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CBP should also “exercise due diligence in situations where they are issuing liquidated damage claims for late filing of entry summary during these events,” it said. “Filers should be notifying CBP of any issues to avoid additional work and expense.”
FDA is also giving some leeway to ports affected by the disasters, CBP said. “FDA will be extending the expiration dates for standalone Prior Notice filings via either PNSI or ACE standalone transmissions (PE transaction) for shipments going to those ports that were/are subject to closure,” it said in the same CSMS message. “Note that if cargo is diverted to another US port of unlading, there is no need for a new Prior Notice. If the cargo diverts and discharges in a foreign country for transit to the US, then this is considered a new shipment that requires a new prior notice.”
The Fish and Wildlife Service announced the closure of several of its offices at ports that could be affected by Hurricane Irma. FWS Office of Law Enforcement offices at the Ports of Miami and Tampa are closing Sept. 7, with the Miami office reopening Sept. 11 and the Tampa office Sept. 12, “pending assessment of conditions,” FWS said. FWS offered the numbers of duty cell phones for Miami and Tampa for perishable shipments that require immediate assistance. The FWS office at the Port of San Juan “will be closed until further notice.”