Title 19—Customs Duties--Volume 1
PART 143—SPECIAL ENTRY PROCEDURES
§ 143.0   Scope.
This part sets forth the requirements and procedures for participation in the Automated Broker Interface (ABI), for the clearance of imported merchandise under appraisement and informal entries, and under electronic entry filing and under Remote Location Filing (RLF). All requirements and procedures set forth in this part are in addition to the general requirements and procedures for all entries set forth in part 141 of this chapter. More specific requirements and procedures are set forth elsewhere in this chapter; for example, part 145 concerns importations by mail and part 10 concerns merchandise conditionally free of duty or subject to a reduced rate.
§ 143.1   Eligibility.
The Automated Broker Interface (ABI) allows participants to transmit data electronically to CBP through ABI and to receive transmissions from Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or any other CBP-authorized electronic data interchange system. Its purposes are to improve administrative efficiency, enhance enforcement of customs and related laws, lower costs and expedite the release of cargo.
(a) Participants for entry and entry summary purposes. Participants in ABI for the purposes of transmitting data relating to entry and entry summary may be:
(1) Customs brokers as defined in § 111.1 of this chapter;
(2) Importers as defined in § 101.1 of this chapter; and
(3) ABI service bureaus, that is, an individual, partnership, association or corporation which provides communications facilities and data processing services for brokers and importers, but which does not engage in the conduct of customs business as defined in § 111.1 of this chapter.
(b) Participants for Importer Security Filing purposes. Any party may participate in ABI solely for the purposes of filing the Importer Security Filing pursuant to § 149.2 of this chapter if that party fulfills the eligibility requirements contained in § 149.5 of this chapter. If a party other than a customs broker as defined in § 111.1 of this chapter or an importer as defined in 19 U.S.C. 1484 submits the Importer Security Filing, no portion of the Importer Security Filing can be used for entry or entry summary purposes pursuant to § 149.5 of this chapter.
(c) Participants for other purposes. Upon approval by CBP, any party may participate in ABI for other purposes, including transmission of protests, filing of in-bond applications, and applications for FTZ admission (CBP Form 214).
§ 143.2   Application.
A prospective participant in ABI shall submit a letter of intent to the port director closest to his principal office, with a copy to the Assistant Commissioner, Information and Technology, or designee. The letter of intent shall set forth a commitment to develop, maintain and adhere to the performance requirements and operational standards of the ABI system in order to ensure the validity, integrity and confidentiality of the data transmitted. The letter of intent must also contain the following, as applicable:
(a) A description of the computer hardware, communications and entry processing systems to be used and the estimated completion date of the programming;
(b) If the participant has offices in more than one location, the location of each office and the estimated start-up date for each office listed;
(c) The name(s) of the participant's principal management and contact person(s) regarding the system;
(d) If the system is being developed or supported by a data processing company, the data processing company's name and the contact person;
(e) The software vendor's name and the contact person; and
(f) The participant's entry filer code and average monthly volume.
§ 143.3   Action on application.
(a) Approval. Permission to use ABI will be granted by the Assistant Commissioner, Information and Technology, or his designee, only to those applicants who are not delinquent or otherwise remiss in their transactions with Customs and are in compliance with the ABI system performance procedures and standards as described in § 143.5 of this subpart. If there is any cause to question the qualifications or fitness of the applicant to participate in ABI, the application may be referred for investigation and report. The investigation may include, but need not be limited to:
(1) The accuracy of the information provided in the letter of intent;
(2) The business integrity of the applicant;
(3) The character and reputation of an individual applicant or a member of a partnership or an officer of an association or corporation; and
(4) The character and reputation of the software vendor.
(b) Denial. If permission to use ABI is denied to an applicant by the Assistant Commissioner, Information and Technology, or his designee, written notice, including the grounds for the denial, will be given to him and to the port director. The applicant may appeal the denial in the manner prescribed in § 143.8 of this subpart and those procedures for handling an appeal shall apply.
§ 143.4   Confidentiality of data.
The electronic data received and exchanged by a service bureau shall be considered confidential, and the service bureau shall maintain the accuracy of data received in the process of formatting and transmitting such data on behalf of a filer, and shall not disclose this data or any information connected therewith to any persons other than the filer or Customs (see § 111.24 of this chapter).
§ 143.5   System performance requirements.
The performance requirements and operational standards for electronic data filing are detailed in Customs Publication 552, Customs And Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR), which is updated periodically. The User Support Services Division, Customs Headquarters, upon request, shall provide each prospective participant with a copy of this publication. Each prospective participant must demonstrate that his system can interface directly with the Customs computer and ensure accurate submission of required data. Such demonstration will include intensive testing of the participant's system and monitoring of its performance in accordance with Publication 552.
§ 143.6   Failure to maintain performance standards.
ABI participants must adhere to the performance requirements and operational standards of the ABI system and maintain a high level of quality in the transmission of data, as defined in Customs Publication 552 (CATAIR) and Customs directives and policy statements, in order to participate in ABI.
(a) Probational status. A participant who does not adhere to the requirements and standards of the ABI system or maintain a high level of quality as described above may be placed on probational status. The participant will be notified, electronically and in writing, by the Director, User Support Services Division, of any action to place the participant on probation. The notice will specifically set forth the grounds for the proposed probation, and advise the participant that he will have 15 days from the date of the notice to show cause why the probationary period should not take effect. If the participant fails to respond within the allotted time, or fails to show to the satisfaction of the Director, User Support Services Division, that the probationary period should not take effect, the Director will notify the participant of the effective date of the probationary period. The length of the probationary period may, in the discretion of the Director, User Support Services Division, be extended up to a maximum of 90 days, if the participant's performance remains below standard, but, except for immediate revocation under § 143.7, participation will not be suspended or revoked until the probationary period has lasted a minimum of 30 days. The participant's performance will be closely monitored during this time, which will include working with the participant and providing any necessary guidance to assist the participant in bringing his performance back to standard.
(b) Suspension following probationary period. If deficiencies are not corrected within the probationary period, the participant will be suspended from operational status. The participant will be notified, electronically and in writing, by the Director, User Support Services Division, of any action to suspend participation. The notice will specifically set forth the grounds and effective date for the suspension, and the right to appeal the suspension to the Assistant Commissioner, Information and Technology, within 10 days following the date of the written notice of suspension (see § 143.8).
(c) Reinstatement following suspension. To obtain reinstatement to operational status, a suspended participant must submit a letter to the Director, User Support Services Division, stating that the deficiencies for which the suspension was invoked have been corrected. If, after the participant has demonstrated compliance with the system performance requirements and operational standards specified in § 143.5 of this part, if required, the Director is satisfied that the deficiencies have been corrected, the participant will be reinstated.
§ 143.7   Revocation of ABI participation.
(a) Fraud or misstatement of material fact. If it is determined at any time that participation in the system was obtained through fraud or the misstatement of a material fact, the Executive Director, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of International Trade, will immediately revoke ABI participation.
(b) Risk of significant harm to system. If the participant's continued use of ABI would pose a potential risk of significant harm to the integrity and functioning of the system, the Director, User Support Services Division, will immediately revoke ABI participation.
(c) Notification to participant. The participant will be notified, electronically and in writing, by the applicable Director, of the revocation. The notice will specifically set forth the grounds and effective date of revocation, and the right to appeal the revocation to the Assistant Commissioner, Information and Technology, within 10 days following the date of the written notice of revocation.
§ 143.8   Appeal of suspension or revocation.
If the participant files a written appeal with the Assistant Commissioner, Information and Technology, within 10 days following the date of the written notice of action to suspend or revoke participation as provided in §§ 143.6 and 143.7, the suspension or revocation of participation shall not take effect until the appeal is decided, except in those cases where the Executive Director, Trade Policy and Programs, Office of International Trade, or the Director, User Support Services Division, respectively, determines that participation was obtained through fraud or the misstatement of a material fact, or that continued participation would pose a potential risk of significant harm to the integrity and functioning of the system. The CBP officer who receives the appeal shall stamp the date of receipt of the appeal and the stamped date is the date of receipt for purposes of the appeal. The Assistant Commissioner shall inform the participant of the date of receipt and the date that a response is due under this paragraph. The Assistant Commissioner shall render his decision to the participant, in writing, stating his reasons therefor, by letter mailed within 30 working days following receipt of the appeal, unless this period is extended with due notification to the participant.
§ 143.11   Merchandise eligible for appraisement entry.
(a) Without Commissioner's approval. An application for entry by appraisement may be approved by the port director without securing the approval of the Commissioner of Customs for any of the following merchandise:
(1) Merchandise damaged on the voyage of importation, by fire or through marine casualty or any other cause, without fault on the part of the shipper;
(2) Merchandise recovered from a wrecked or stranded vessel;
(3) Household effects used abroad and personal effects, not imported in pursuance of a purchase or agreement for purchase and not intended for sale;
(4) Articles sent by persons in foreign countries as gifts to persons in the United States;
(5) Tools of trade of a person arriving in the United States;
(6) Personal effects of citizens of the United States who have died in a foreign country; and
(7) Any of the following articles, which are deemed in accordance with section 498(a)(10), Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1498(a)(10)), to be articles the value of which cannot be declared:
(i) Articles which are secondhand;
(ii) Articles which have become deteriorated or damaged before importation otherwise than as specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(iii) Articles which are not the subject of a commercial transaction; and
(iv) So-called overages or dock accumulations which cannot be identified with any particular shipment.
(b) With Commissioner's approval. Entry by appraisement for merchandise not provided for in paragraph (a) of this section shall be allowed only with the approval of the Commissioner of Customs. Each request for such approval shall be filed in triplicate with the port director and shall state in detail the reasons for the request for entry by appraisement.
(c) Merchandise not eligible. An application for an entry by appraisement shall not be approved after the merchandise has been appraised or released from Customs custody, nor for damaged merchandise when the damage occurs after importation.
§ 143.12   Form of entry.
Application for an entry by appraisement shall be made in triplicate on the entry summary, Customs Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent.
§ 143.13   Documents to be presented with entry.
The importer shall in all cases present:
(a) Any bills or statements of cost, or their electronic equivalents, relating to the merchandise which may be in his possession; and
(b) A declaration, or its electronic equivalent, that he has no other information as to the value of the articles and is unable to obtain such information or to determine the value of the articles for the purpose of making formal entry thereof.
§ 143.14   Payment of additional expenses.
Any additional expenses for cartage, storage, or labor occasioned by reason of an entry by appraisement shall be borne by the importer.
§ 143.15   Deposit of estimated duties and taxes.
Estimated duties shall be deposited in accordance with subpart G of part 141 of this chapter before the merchandise is released from Customs custody.
§ 143.16   Substitution of warehouse entry.
The importer may substitute an entry for warehouse at any time within 1 year from the date of importation, provided the merchandise has remained in continuous Customs custody.
§ 143.21   Merchandise eligible for informal entry.
The following types of merchandise are among those which may be entered under informal entry (see §§ 141.52 and 143.22 of this chapter):
(a) Shipments of merchandise not exceeding $2,500 in value (except for articles valued in excess of $250 classified in Chapter 99, Subchapters III and IV, HTSUS);
(b) Any installment, not exceeding $2,500 in value, of a shipment arriving at different times, as described in § 141.82 of this chapter;
(c) A portion of one consignment, when such portion does not exceed $2,500 in value and may be entered separately pursuant to § 141.52 of this chapter. This paragraph does not apply to shipments of articles valued in excess of $250 classified under Chapter 99, Subchapters III and IV, HTSUS;
(d) Household or personal effects or tools of trade entitled to free entry under Chapter 98, Subchapter IV, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202);
(e) Household effects used abroad and personal effects whether or not entitled to free entry, not imported in pursuance of a purchase or agreement for purchase and not intended for sale;
(f) Household and personal effects described in paragraph (e) of this section when entered under subheading 9802.00.40, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), and the value of the repairs and alterations thereto does not exceed $2,500;
(g) Personal effects not exceeding $2,500 in value of citizens of the United States who have died abroad;
(h) Books and other articles classifiable under subheadings 4903.00.00, 4904.00.00, 4905.91.00, 4905.99.00, 9701.10.00, 9701.90.00, 9810.00.05, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), imported by a library or other institution described in subheadings 9810.00.05 and 9810.00.30, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202);
(i) Theatrical scenery, properties, and effects, motion-picture films, commercial travelers' samples and professional books, implements, instruments, and tools of trade, occupation, or employment, as set forth in § 10.68 of this chapter;
(j) Merchandise which, upon written application to the Commissioner of CBP, is determined to be unique in character or design such that the value thereof cannot be declared and which is not intended for sale or imported in pursuance of a purchase or agreement for purchase; and
(k) Products of the United States, when the aggregate value of the shipment does not exceed $10,000 and the products are imported—
(1) For the purposes of repair or alteration prior to reexportation, or
(2) After having been either rejected or returned by the foreign purchaser to the United States for credit.
(l) Shipments of merchandise qualifying for the administrative exemptions under 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2) and provided for in—
(1) Section 10.151 or 145.31 of this chapter (certain importations not exceeding $800 in value);
(2) Section 10.152 or 145.32 of this chapter (certain bona-fide gifts not exceeding $100 in value ($200 in the case of articles sent from a person in the Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa)); or
(3) Section 148.51 or 148.64 of this chapter (certain personal or household articles not exceeding $200 in value).
§ 143.22   Formal entry may be required.
CBP may require a formal consumption or appraisement entry for any merchandise if deemed necessary for import admissibility enforcement purposes; revenue protection; or the efficient conduct of customs business. Individual shipments for the same consignee, when such shipments are valued at $2,500 or less, may be consolidated on one such entry.
§ 143.23   Form of entry.
Except for the types of merchandise listed below which may be entered on the forms indicated, merchandise to be entered informally must be entered on a CBP Form 368 or 368A, (serially numbered) or CBP Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent or, if authorized by the Center director, upon the presentation of a commercial invoice which contains the following declaration, signed by the importer or his agent:
I declare that the information on this invoice is accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief; that the invoice quantities are true and correct manifest quantities; and that I have not received and do not know of any invoice other than this one.
(a) Articles in passengers' baggage which may be cleared on a baggage declaration in accordance with subpart B of part 148 of this chapter;
(b) Products of the United States being returned for which clearance on CBP Form 3311, or its electronic equivalent, is prescribed by § 10.1 of this chapter;
(c) Personal effects and tools of trade for which clearance on CBP Form 3299, or its electronic equivalent, is prescribed by § 148.6 of this chapter; and
(d) Shipments not exceeding $2,500 in value (except for articles valued in excess of $250 classified in Chapter 99, Subchapter III and IV, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States) which are either (1) unconditionally free of duty and not subject to any quota or internal revenue tax, or (2) conditionally free (other than shipments of merchandise provided for in paragraph (g) of this section) and all conditions for free entry are met at the time of entry, which may be released upon the filing by the importer on CBP Form 7523, in duplicate, supported by evidence of the right to make entry.
(e) Merchandise for which informal entry may be made on a different form as prescribed elsewhere in this chapter.
(f) Merchandise released under the immediate delivery procedure or the entry documentation required by § 142.3(a), and entry is made on CBP Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent annotated “Informal Entry” in the upper right hand corner.
(g) Merchandise, regardless of value, which is imported for noncommercial purposes, which qualifies for entry free of duty under the Generalized System of Preferences (see §§ 10.171 through 10.178 of this chapter), and for which informal entry may be made on CBP Form 7523, in duplicate.
(h) Products of the United States being returned for which informal entry is permitted by § 143.21(j) may be cleared as follows:
(1) For products of the United States returned for the purposes of repair or alteration prior to reexportation. CBP Form 3311, or its electronic equivalent, will serve as informal entry.
(2) For products of the United States after having been either rejected or returned by the foreign purchaser for credit, CBP Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent, annotated “informal entry” in the upper right hand corner, and CBP Form 3311, or its electronic equivalent, will serve as informal entry.
(i) A shipment of merchandise not exceeding $2,500 in value which is imported by an express consignment operator or carrier and which meets the requirements in § 128.24 of this chapter may be entered as provided in that section.
(j) Except for mail importations (see §§ 145.31 and 145.32 of this chapter), or in the case of personal written or oral declarations (see §§ 148.12, 148.13, and 148.62 of this chapter), a

shipment of merchandise that qualifies for informal entry under 19 U.S.C. 1498 may be entered, including the information listed in paragraph (k) of this section, by presenting the bill of lading or a manifest listing each bill of lading when:
(1) The value of the shipment does not exceed $100 in the case of a bona fide gift from a person in a foreign country to a person in the United States and the shipment meets the requirements in § 10.152 of this chapter (see § 10.152 of this chapter);
(2) The value of the shipment does not exceed $200 in the case of articles (including bona fide gifts) from the Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa and the shipment meets the requirements in § 10.152 of this chapter (see § 10.152 of this chapter); or
(3) The value of the shipment does not exceed $800 and the shipment satisfies the requirements in § 10.151 of this chapter (see §§ 10.151 and 128.24(e) of this chapter).
(k) The following information is required to be filed as a part of entry made under paragraph (j) of this section:
(1) Country of origin of the merchandise;
(2) Shipper name, address and country;
(3) Ultimate consignee name and address;
(4) Specific description of the merchandise;
(5) Quantity;
(6) Shipping weight; and
(7) Value.
§ 143.24   Preparation of Customs Form 7501 and Customs Form 368 or 368A (serially numbered).
Customs Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent, may be prepared by importers or their agents or by Customs officers when it can be presented to a Customs cashier for payment of duties and taxes and for numbering of the entry before the merchandise is examined by a Customs officer. Where there is no Customs cashier, Customs Form 368 or 368A (serially numbered) or Customs Form 7501 must be used, and it shall be prepared by a Customs officer unless the form can be prepared under his control by the importer or agent for immediate use in clearing merchandise under the informal entry procedure. The conditions for the preparation of Customs Form 7501 by importers or their agents, as described in the first sentence of this section, do not apply to the acceptance of these entries for shipments not exceeding $250 in value released under a special permit for immediate delivery in accordance with part 142 of this chapter.
§ 143.25   Information on entry form, or its electronic equivalent.
Each Customs Form 368 or 368A (serially numbered) or, where used, Customs Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent, shall contain an adequate description of the merchandise and the item number of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (19 U.S.C. 1202), under which the merchandise is classified.
§ 143.26   Party who may make informal entry of merchandise.
(a) Shipments valued between $800 and $2,500. A shipment of merchandise valued between $800 and $2,500 which qualifies for informal entry under 19 U.S.C. 1498 may be entered, using reasonable care, by the owner or purchaser of the shipment or, when appropriately designated by the owner, purchaser, or consignee of the shipment, a customs broker licensed under 19 U.S.C. 1641.
(b) Shipments valued at $800 or less. A shipment of merchandise valued at $800 or less which qualifies for informal entry under 19 U.S.C. 1498 and meets the requirements in 19 U.S.C. 1321(a)(2) (see §§ 10.151, 10.152, 10.153, 145.31, 145.32, 148.51, 148.64, of this chapter) may be entered, using reasonable care, by the owner, purchaser, or consignee of the shipment or, when appropriately designated by one of these persons, a customs broker licensed under 19 U.S.C. 1641.
§ 143.27   Invoices.
In the case of merchandise imported pursuant to a purchase or agreement to purchase, or intended for sale and entered informally, the importer shall produce the commercial invoice covering the transaction or, in the absence thereof, an itemized statement of value.
§ 143.28   Deposit of duties and release of merchandise.
Unless statement processing and ACH are used pursuant to § 24.25 of this chapter, the estimated duties and taxes, if any, shall be deposited at the time the entry is presented and accepted by a Customs Officer, whether at the customhouse or elsewhere. If upon examination of the merchandise further duties or taxes are found due, they shall be deposited before release of the merchandise by Customs. When the entry is presented elsewhere than where the merchandise is to be examined, the permit copy shall be delivered through proper channels to the Customs officer who will examine the merchandise.
§ 143.31   Applicability.
This subpart sets forth general requirements for the entry of imported merchandise processed electronically through the CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or any other CBP-authorized electronic data interchange system. Entries processed electronically are subject to the documentation, document retention and document retrievability requirements of this chapter as well as the general entry requirements of parts 141 and 142. Use of this system is voluntary and optional on behalf of the filer. Customs does not contemplate that processing of non-electronic filings shall be delayed.
§ 143.32   Definitions.
The following are definitions for purposes of subparts D and E of this part:
(a) ABI. “ABI” means the Automated Broker Interface functionality that allows entry filers to transmit immediate delivery, entry and entry summary data electronically to, and receive electronic messaging from, CBP and receive transmissions from Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or any other CBP-authorized electronic data interchange system.
(b) Authorized electronic data interchange system means any established mechanism approved by the Commissioner of CBP through which information can be transferred electronically.
(c) AII. “AII” means Automated Invoice Interface and is a method of transmitting detailed invoice data through ABI.
(d) Broker. “Broker” means a customs broker licensed under part 111 of this chapter.
(e) Certification. “Certification” means the electronic equivalent of a signature for data transmitted through ABI. This electronic (facsimile) signature must be transmitted as part of the immediate delivery, entry or entry summary data. Such data are referred to as “certified”.
(f) Data. “Data” when used in conjunction with immediate delivery, entryand/or entry summary means the information required to be submitted with the immediate delivery, entry and/or entry summary, respectively, in accordance with the CATAIR (CBP Publication 552, Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements) and/or CBP Headquarters directives. It does not mean the actual paper documents, but includes all of the information required to be in such documents.
(g) Documentation. “Documentation” when used in conjunction with immediate delivery, entry and/or entry summary means the documents set forth in § 142.3 of this chapter, required to be submitted as part of an application for immediate delivery, entry and/or entry summary, but does not include the CBP Forms 7501, 3461, or their electronic equivalents (or alternative forms).
(h) EDIFACT. “EDIFACT” means the Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport that provides an electronic capability to transmit detailed CBP Forms 7501 and 3461, or their electronic equivalents and invoice data.
(i) Electronic entry. “Electronic entry” means the electronic transmission to CBP of:
(1) Entry information required for the entry of merchandise; and
(2) Entry summary information required for the classification and appraisement of the merchandise, the verification of statistical information, and the determination of compliance with applicable law.
(j) Electronic immediate delivery. “Electronic immediate delivery” means the electronic transmission of CBP Forms 3461 or 3461 alternate (CBP Form 3461 ALT) data to the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) or any other CBP-authorized electronic data interchange system in order to obtain the release of goods under immediate delivery.
(k) Electronic Invoice Program (EIP). “EIP” refers to modules of the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) that allow entry filers to transmit detailed invoice data and includes Automated Invoice Interface (AII) and any other electronic invoice authorized by CBP.
(l) Filer. “Filer” means the party certifying the electronic filing of the application for immediate delivery, entry or entry summary. Filer may be a broker or an importer of record filing his own entries through ABI without the use of a broker.
(m) Preclassification/binding ruling number. “Preclassification/binding ruling number” means the system by which classifications are approved and assigned a unique identifying number. This number may be transmitted as part of the ABI data.
(n) Records. “Records” means the records as defined in part 163 of this chapter, which are required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter.
(o) Selectivity criteria. “Selectivity criteria” means the categories of information that guide CBP's judgment in evaluating and assessing the risk of an immediate delivery, entry, or entry summary transaction. Based upon these criteria, immediate delivery or entry transactions will be subject to either general examination, general examination with document review, or intensive examination. Entry summary transactions will be subject to either system review or summary document review. General examination (entry/immediate delivery) and system review (entry summary) procedures will constitute electronic processing provided all conditions necessary for electronic processing contained in this part are met.
(p) Statement processing. “Statement processing” means the method of collection and accounting which allows a filer to pay for more than one entry summary with one payment. ACS, or any other CBP-authorized electronic data interchange system, generates the statement, which is transmitted electronically to the filer, consisting of a list of entry summaries and the amount of duties, taxes or fees, if any, due for payment. Upon payment and collection of the statement, those entry summaries designated as electronic will be scheduled for liquidation (see § 24.25 of this chapter).
§ 143.33   Eligibility criteria for participation.
To be eligible for electronic immediate delivery, electronic entry and electronic entry summary, the filer must be qualified to use the ABI feature, as prescribed in § 143.5. To be eligible for electronic entry summary processing, filers must be authorized to use the ABI statement processing system. Filers not so authorized would have to follow the electronic entry summary with the submission of an entry summary in paper form along with any duties, taxes or fees accruing.
§ 143.34   Procedure for electronic immediate delivery or entry.
To file immediate delivery or entry electronically, the filer will submit certified immediate delivery or entry data electronically through ABI. Data will be validated and, if found error-free, will be accepted. If it is determined through selectivity criteria and review of data that documentation is not required to be physically submitted in paper form, merchandise will be released and Customs will electronically notify the filer.
§ 143.35   Procedure for electronic entry summary.
In order to obtain entry summary processing electronically, the filer will submit certified entry summary data electronically through ABI. Data will be validated and, if the transmission is found error-free, will be accepted. If it is determined through selectivity criteria and review of data that documentation is required for further processing of the entry summary, Customs will so notify the filer. Documentation submitted before being requested by Customs will not be accepted or retained by Customs. The entry summary will be scheduled for liquidation once payment is made under statement processing (see § 24.25 of this chapter).
§ 143.36   Form of immediate delivery, entry and entry summary.
(a) Electronic form of data. If Customs determines that the immediate delivery, entry or entry summary data is satisfactory under §§ 143.34 and 143.35, the electronic form of the immediate delivery, entry or entry summary through ABI shall be deemed to satisfy all filing requirements under this part. Further, the filer will not be required to produce or physically submit any official Customs forms of immediate delivery, entry or entry summary. The filer is responsible for the accuracy of the data submitted electronically to the same extent as if the documents were produced, signed and physically submitted by the filer (see § 111.32 of this chapter).
(b) Accuracy of data. Participation constitutes declaration by the electronic filer that, to the best of his knowledge, all transactions filed electronically fully disclose prices, values, quantities, rebates, drawbacks, fees, commissions, and royalties, which are true and correct, and that all goods or services provided either free or at a reduced cost to the seller of the merchandise are fully disclosed (see § 111.32 of this chapter).
(c) Submission of invoice. The invoice will be retained by the filer unless requested by Customs. If the invoice is submitted by the filer before a request is made by Customs, it will not be accepted or retained by Customs. When Customs requests presentation of the invoice, invoice data must be submitted in one of the following forms:
(1) Paper form;
(2) AII or EDIFACT format.
(3) In appropriate cases where a party has obtained a preclassification/binding ruling number covering the merchandise being entered, or is a participant in a pre-approval program, and information is electronically transmitted which is adequate for the examination of the merchandise and the determination of duties, and for verifying the information required for statistical purposes by § 141.61(e) of this chapter, such information will satisfy the invoice requirement of this part and part 141 of this chapter.
§ 143.37   Retention of records.
(a) Record maintenance requirements. All records received or generated by a broker or importer must be maintained in accordance with part 163 of this chapter.
(b) Termination of broker's responsibility. If the broker is discharged by the importer, he shall retain the documentation for those deliveries, entries or entry summaries filed by him prior to such discharge. Documentation in possession of a broker at the time of permanent termination of the brokerage business shall be accounted for pursuant to § 111.30(e) of this chapter.
§ 143.38   [Reserved]
§ 143.39   Penalties.
(a) Brokers. Brokers unable to produce records requested by Customs under this chapter will be subject to disciplinary action or penalties pursuant to part 111 or part 163 of this chapter.
(b) Importers. Importers unable to produce records requested by Customs under this chapter will be subject to penalties pursuant to part 163 of this chapter.
§ 143.41   Applicability.
This subpart sets forth the general requirements and procedures for Remote Location Filing (RLF). RLF entries are subject to the documentation, document retention and document retrieval requirements of this chapter as well as the general entry requirements of parts 141, 142 and 143 of this chapter. Participation in the RLF program is voluntary and at the option of the filer.
§ 143.42   Definitions.
The following definitions, in addition to the definitions set forth in § 143.32 of this part, apply for purposes of this subpart E:
(a) Remote Location Filing (RLF) —“RLF” is an elective method of making entry by which a customs broker with a national permit electronically transmits all data information associated with an entry that CBP can process in a completely electronic data interchange system to a RLF-operational CBP location from a remote location other than where the goods are being entered. (Importers filing on their own behalf may file electronically in any port, subject to ABI filing requirements.)
(b) RLF-operational CBP location —“RLF-operational CBP location” means a CBP location within the customs territory of the United States that is staffed with CBP personnel who have been trained in RLF procedures and who have operational experience with the Electronic Invoice Program (EIP). EIP is defined in § 143.32 of this chapter. A list of all RLF-operational locations is available for viewing on the CBP Internet Web site located at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/remote_location_filing/.
§ 143.43   RLF eligibility criteria.
(a) Automation criteria. To be eligible for RLF, a licensed customs broker or importer of record must be:
(1) Operational on the ABI ( see 19 CFR part 143, subpart A);
(2) Operational on the EIP prior to applying for RLF; and
(3) Operational on the ACH (or any other CBP-approved method of electronic payment), for purposes of directing the electronic payment of duties, taxes and fees ( see 19 CFR 24.25), 30 days before transmitting a RLF entry.
(b) Broker must have national permit. To be eligible for RLF, a licensed customs broker must hold a valid national permit ( see 19 CFR 111.19(f)).
(c) Continuous bond. A RLF entry must be secured with a continuous bond.
§ 143.44   RLF procedure.
(a) Electronic transmission of invoice data. For RLF transactions, a customs broker or importer of record must transmit electronically, using EIP, any invoice data required by CBP.
(b) Electronic transmission of payment. For RLF transactions, a customs broker or importer of record must direct the electronic payment of duties, taxes and fees through the ACH ( see 19 CFR 24.25) or any other method of electronic payment authorized by CBP.
(c) Automation requirements. Only those entries and entry summaries that CBP processes completely in an electronic data interchange system will be accepted for RLF. For a listing of entry types that may be filed via RLF, go to http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/remote_location_filing/.
(d) Combined electronic entry and entry summary. For RLF transactions using a combined electronic entry and entry summary, a customs broker must submit to CBP, through ABI or any other electronic interface authorized by CBP, a complete and error-free electronic data transmission constituting the entry summary that serves as both the entry and entry summary.
(e) No line release or immediate delivery entries permitted under RLF. Line release ( see 19 CFR, Part 142, Subpart D) or immediate delivery procedures may not be combined with RLF transactions.
(f) Data acceptance and release of merchandise. Data that are complete and error free will be accepted by CBP. If electronic invoice or additional electronic documentation is required, CBP will so notify the RLF filer. If no documentation is required to be filed, CBP will so notify the RLF filer. If CBP accepts the RLF entry (including invoice data) under §§ 143.34 through 143.36 of this part, the RLF entry will be deemed to satisfy all filing requirements under this part and the merchandise may be released.
(g) Liquidation. The entry summary will be scheduled for liquidation once payment is made under statement processing ( see 19 CFR 24.25).
§ 143.45   Filing of additional entry information.
When filing from a remote location, a RLF filer must electronically file all additional information required by CBP to be presented with the entry and entry summary information (including facsimile transmissions) that CBP can accept electronically. If CBP cannot accept additional information electronically, the RLF filer must file the additional information in a paper format at the CBP port of entry where the goods arrived.