CBP Extends Apparel Quota Preprocessing Test Through December 31, 2006
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a general notice announcing the two-year extension of the quota preprocessing program (QPP) test, in order to provide for the electronic processing of certain quota-class apparel merchandise prior to the arrival of the importing carrier, through December 31, 20061.
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QPP permits certain quota entries to have their quota priority/status determined prior to arrival. QPP permits certain quota entries (currently merchandise in HTS Chapters 61 and 62) to be filed, reviewed for admissibility, and to have their quota priority and status determined by CBP prior to arrival of the carrier, similar to the method of preliminary review by which non-quota entries are currently processed.
Application procedures. According to CBP, an importer wishing to participate in the QPP test must submit a written application to the Program Coordinator for QPP at each port where the applicant intends to submit quota entries for preprocessing. Applications must include: (1) the specific port(s) included under the program where entries of the quota merchandise are intended to be made; (2) the importer of record number(s), including suffix(es), and a statement of the importer's/filer's electronic filing capabilities; and (3) names and address of any entry filers, including CBP brokers, who will be electronically filing entries at each port under the program on behalf of the importer/participant. CBP states that applicants will be notified in writing of their selection or nonselection to participate in QPP.
Current participants in QPP that also wish to file entries under QPP at any additional ports must notify, in writing, the additional port(s) at least 5 working days before submitting entries at such port(s).
CBP notes that prospective applicants may consult CBP's December 21, 2001 and July 24, 1998 Federal Register notices for a more detailed discussion of QPP and its September 9, 2002 Federal Register notice for eligibility criteria. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/10/02 news, 02091005, for BP summary of CBP's September 9, 2002 notice.)
1In April 2004, CBP officials stated that they had no plans to extend the QPP test beyond its December 31, 2004 expiration date. However, CBP sources had stated that they would be willing to listen to the trade community if there was an interest in maintaining QPP for apparel that remains subject to quota on/after January 1, 2005 (e.g., non-WTO countries like Vietnam, etc.).
CBP contact - Christine DeRiso (202) 344-2319
CBP general notice (FR Pub 01/10/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-403.pdf.