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| # Appendix H                                                          |
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## Census Warning Messages

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  This appendix provides a List of Census warning messages and\
  a description and resolution of each message.

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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has incorporated the Bureau
of Census import parameters, or statistical averages for commodity price
ranges, charges, origin countries, quantity‑to‑quantity ratios, and
more, into the Automated Commercial Service (ACS) entry summary
programs. Census warning messages result when discrepancies occur
between what Census usually finds for a particular commodity and the
data given on an individual entry summary. Census warnings do not always
mean an entry summary is in error, just that the information given is
*unlikely* to be true. If the warnings do indicate errors, the entry
summary information must be corrected. If, however, the \"unlikely\"
information is true, no changes need to be made to the entry summary.

The Census warning messages are listed here in numeric order by message
number, but are primarily organized by message type. The samples of CBP
Form (CBPF) 7501 have been removed.

**[27A\*CENSUS\* IMPROBABLE COUNTRY]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Country of Origin (box 15 or 28), Country of
> Export (box 13), Tariff Number (column 30)
>
> ***Reason***: An improbable country warning occurs when:

-   A country is unlikely to produce, mine or manufacture certain
    commodities.

> *Example*: Netherlands Antilles (AN) and the Bahamas (BS) are often
> misreported as the country of origin for crude oil. These countries do
> not produce crude oil, only store it.

-   The countries of Cuba (CU), Irag (IQ), Libya (LY), or North Korea
    (KP) are reported since trade with these countries is unlikely.

-   The tariff number is American goods returned and both the country of
    origin and country of export is the United States (US).

-   The country is not eligible for duty free treatment for a
    \"certified hand‑loomed and folklore\" product.

> ***Resolution***: Commercial invoices or other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the country of origin and the tariff
> are correct as reported.
>
> In the case of American goods returned, *Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
> the United States Annotated* (HTS) 9801.00.1010‑9801.00.1098, the
> country of export should not be shown as the United States (US).
>
> When the country of origin is unknown, two asterisks (\*\*) should be
> shown as the country of origin. The country of export will be used for
> data collection purposes.
>
> *Note*:  If an entry summary covers merchandise from more than one
> country of origin, the word *MULTI* is shown in box 15 on the
> CBPF-7501, and the various countries should be listed in column 28
> with the corresponding line items.

**[27B\*CENSUS\* QTY1/QTY2 (TARIFF 1)]{.underline}**

**[27K\*CENSUS\* QTY1/QTY2 (TARIFF 2)]{.underline}**

**[27L\*CENSUS\* QTY1/QTY2 (TARIFF 3)]{.underline}**

**[27M\*CENSUS\* QTY2/QTY1 (TARIFF 1)]{.underline}**

**[28A\*CENSUS\* QTY2/QTY1 (TARIFF 2)]{.underline}**

**[28B\*CENSUS\* QTY2/QTY1 (TARIFF 3)]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Tariff Number (column 30), Reporting Quantities
> and Units of Measure (column 32)
>
> ***Reason***: A quantity ratio reject occurs when the relationship
> between the two quantities required by the tariff is not within Census
> parameters.
>
> The quantity relationship is computed by dividing the two units of
> quantities for the particular tariff number on the line item as shown
> in the warning message. So, *QTY1/QTY2 (TARIFF 1)* indicates that for
> the first tariff number on the line item, the first quantity is
> divided by the second quantity.
>
> For example, for HTS 5701.90.1010, certain hand‑knotted carpets, the
> reporting units are square meters and kilograms.
>
> An entry summary reports a shipment of carpets with a square meterage
> of 650, and a net weight of 95000 kilograms. The warning *QTY2/QTY1
> (TARIFF 1)* results, since the ratio of quantity 2 to quantity 1 is
> more than 145 kilograms per square meter (95000 kg / 650 m2 = 146.2
> kg/m2). That ratio is more likely for marble slabs than oriental rugs.
>
> ***Resolution***: Commercial invoices or other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the quantities and tariff number are
> correct as reported. Check any units conversions, such as pieces to
> dozens, or ounces to grams. Make certain the quantities are reported
> in metric units as required by the HTS. Particular attention should be
> given to zero quantities since they rarely occur.

**[27C\*CENSUS\* OR‑LO VAL/QTY (1) TARIFF 1]{.underline}**

**[27D\*CENSUS\* OR‑HI VAL/QTY (1) TARIFF 1]{.underline}**

**[27E\*CENSUS\* OR‑HI VAL/QTY (1) TARIFF2]{.underline}**

**[27F\*CENSUS\* OR‑HI VAL/QTY (2) TARIFF1]{.underline}**

**[28C\*CENSUS\* OR‑LO VAL/QTY (1) TARIFF2]{.underline}**

**[28D\*CENSUS\* OR‑LO VAL/QTY (1) TARIFF3]{.underline}**

**[28E\*CENSUS\* OR‑LO VAL/QTY (2) TARIFF1]{.underline}**

**[28F\*CENSUS\* OR‑LO VAL/QTY (2) TARIFF2]{.underline}**

**[28G\*CENSUS\* OR‑LO VAL/QTY (2) TARIFF3]{.underline}**

**[28H\*CENSUS\* OR‑HI VAL/QTY (1) TARIFF3]{.underline}**

**[28I\*CENSUS\* OR‑HI VAL/QTY (2) TARIFF2]{.underline}**

**[28J\*CENSUS\* OR‑HI VAL/QTY (2) TARIFF3]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Tariff Number (column 30), Reporting Quantities
> and Units of Measure (column 32), Entered Value (column 33)
>
> ***Reason***: Codes used are:

*OR* = out of range

*LO* = low

*HI* = high

> For example, *OR‑HI VAL/QTY(1) TARIFF 3* means for the third tariff
> number on the line item, the ratio of the value to the first quantity
> is outside the normal range for that commodity; the ratio is too high.
>
> These warnings occur when the unit value of an item is not within
> Census parameters. The unit value is determined by dividing the
> entered value by the entered quantity.

For example, the number of pieces must be reported for HTS 9506.61.0000,
tennis balls. If, on an entry, this tariff number is shown with an
entered value of \$4,500 for 50 tennis balls, the value of each ball
equals \$90 (\$4,500 / 50 each = \$90 each). This is an unlikely price
for a single tennis ball. However, it\'s conceivable that these could be
special experimental or prototype tennis balls being imported for
further testing, so the information might be correct as given.

> ***Resolution***: Commercial invoices or other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the tariff quantities and value are
> correct. Make certain the quantities are reported in metric units as
> required by the HTS. Check any conversions, such as foreign currency
> to US dollars, or unit conversions such as tons to kilograms.
> Particular attention should be given to zero quantities since they
> rarely occur.

**[27G\*CENSUS\* IMPROBABLE AIR TARIFF 1]{.underline}**

**[28K\*CENSUS\* IMPROBABLE AIR TARIFF 2]{.underline}**

**[28L\*CENSUS\* IMPROBABLE AIR TARIFF 3]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Tariff Number (column 30), Mode of Transportation
> (box 20), Importing Carrier (box 23)
>
> ***Reason***: This warning message results when the mode of
> transportation is air (MOT 40); but the commodity is one unlikely to
> be shipped by air.
>
> Some examples of such commodities are explosive substances, petroleum
> coke, coal of all classifications, metal bearing ores, mining and
> earthmoving machinery, rail locomotives, fire engines, yachts, and
> floating docks.
>
> ***Resolution***: Commercial invoices or other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the tariff number, mode of
> transportation, and importing carrier are correctly reported.
>
> ***Note***: If box 20 is changed to reflect the mode of transportation
> as vessel, the 5‑position numeric code for the foreign port of lading
> must be recorded in box 24 of the CBPF-7501.

**[27H\*CENSUS\* GROSS WEIGHT ‑ AIR]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Gross Weight (column 31), Tariff Number (column
> 30), Mode of Transportation (box 20), Importing Carrier (box 23)
>
> ***Reason***: Because of space/weight limitations on airfreight, it is
> unlikely that a single air shipment of any commodity will exceed
> 102,060 kilograms shipping weight. Note that this maximum was raised
> from the former limit of 50,000 pounds.
>
> ***Resolution***: Commercial invoices or other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the gross weight, mode of
> transportation and tariff number are correctly reported.
>
> ***Note***: If box 20 is changed to reflect the mode of transportation
> as vessel, the 5‑ position numeric code for the foreign port of lading
> must be recorded in box 24 of the CBPF-7501.

**[27I\*CENSUS\* GROSS WEIGHT ‑ VESSEL]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Gross Weight (column 31), Tariff Number (column
> 30), Mode of Transportation (box 20), Importing Carrier (box 23)
>
> ***Reason***: This warning message occurs for vessel shipments and
> nonair shipments when the gross weight reported for the tariff number
> exceeds a certain limit based on normal vessel shipping weight
> limitations. For most commodities, this limit is 22,680,000 kilograms.
>
> ***Resolution***: Commercial invoices or other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the tariff number and shipping
> weight are correct as reported.

**[27J\*CENSUS\* OR‑AGR VALUE/CHARGES]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Tariff Number (column 30), Entered Value (column
> 33), Charges (column 33), Mode of Transportation (box 20)
>
> ***Reason***: This warning message occurs when the relationship
> between the aggregate charges and the entered value is not within
> Census parameters. For many commodities, the charges do not often
> exceed the entered value of the merchandise.
>
> As of January 1989, charges must now be reported for overland
> shipments from Canada and Mexico in addition to air and vessel
> shipments from all countries.
>
> ***Resolution***: Commercial invoices or other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the value, charges, tariff number
> and mode of transportation are correct as reported.

**[27P\*CENSUS\* MAXIMUM VALUE EXCEEDED]{.underline}**

> ***Data Element***: Entered Value (column 33)
>
> ***Reason*:**  This warning message occurs when the total entered
> value for the line item exceeds \$100 million, regardless of the
> tariff number and quantities reported. It is based on the entered
> value *transmitted to ACS*, regardless of the printed value on the
> CBPF-7501.
>
> ***Resolution*:** Commercial invoices and other competent evidence
> should be examined to verify that the value is correct as reported.
> Check all currency conversions and unit price extensions, and make
> changes as applicable.

**[27Q\*CENSUS\* MAXIMUM CHARGES EXCEEDED]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Mode of Transportation (box 20), Charges (column
> 33)
>
> ***Reason***: This message results when the charges amount for any one
> line item in ACS exceeds \$8 million for vessel or air shipments,
> regardless of the charges amount printed on the\
> CBPF-7501.
>
> ***Resolution***: Check all currency conversions and shipping charges
> supplied by the importing carrier, making changes where applicable.

**[28N \*CENSUS\* IMPROBABLE MFR/SHPR ID]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Country of Origin (box 15), Country of Export
> (box 13), Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code (MID) (box 21),
> tariff Number (col. 30).
>
> ***Reason***: This message appears when the country of origin and/or
> the country or export is Canada, but the MID is for a manufacturer or
> shipper from a country other than Canada. For tariff numbers
> 9801.00.1010‑ 9801.00.1098 (U.S. goods returned) exported from Canada,
> this message is not returned.
>
> ***Resolution***: The MID reported is to be for the party shown on the
> invoices and other documentation pertaining to the particular
> importation. If the merchandise is simply transshipped through Canada
> without actually entering the commerce of Canada, the country of
> export is *not* Canada. Check the country of export and the invoices
> to ascertain the correct reporting of the exporting country and the
> MID. This edit was introduced as part of the statistical interchange
> program between the United States and Canadian governments.

**[28O \*CENSUS\* MFR/SHP NO NAME/ADDRESS]{.underline}**

> ***Data Elements***: Country of Origin (box 15), Country of Export
> (box 13), Manufacturer/Shipper Identification Code (MID) (box 21)
>
> ***Reason***: This message results on entry summaries for shipments
> originating or exported from Canada where the name and address
> associated with this particular MID is not on file in ACS. ABI filers
> have the capability to transmit the names and addresses for
> manufacturers/shippers via ABI using Record Identifier \$I.
>
> ***Resolution***: Addition of the name and address to the ACS database
> will resolve this warning message for this and future summaries
> involving this particular MID. This edit was introduced as part of the
> statistical interchange program between the United States and Canadian
> governments.