CBP CSMS Messages and Web Postings

1. CBP Updates Its Information on the FDA System Outage Scheduled for 7/26

ABI transmission received by FDA during that time will be queued and processed once the maintenance is completed. Prior Notice (PN) confirmation numbers will not be transmitted back to filers during the downtime. If PN has not already been submitted, ABI filers may decide to wait out the downtime if they determine that timeliness of PN will not be adversely affected. Alternatively, filers may submit PN via the Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI) in which case the prior notice confirmation number must accompany the article of food (21 CFR 1.279(g)).

If PN is submitted through PNSI, FDA and CBP recommend that the submitter present the PNSI confirmation page, including the PN confirmation number and time stamp to CBP officers for cargo release.

If PN has already been submitted via ABI prior to the OASIS outage and confirmation has already been received, no further action is required. If PN has already been submitted via ABI and confirmation has not been received prior to the OASIS outage, FDA and CBP recommend that, rather than resubmitting via PNSI, submitters should provide to CBP officers, at the time of cargo release, an endorsed (signed) copy of the ABI transmission or some other evidence adequate to show that prior notice has been submitted via ABI.

CBP notes that during the downtime period, FDA and CBP will be operating using contingency plan-scenario 2.

(CBP previously issued two CSMS messages regarding this downtime, CSMS 08-000124 and CSMS 08-000126. See ITT's Online Archives or 07/25/08 news, 08072540 2, for BP summary of CSMS 08-000124. CSMS 08-000126 available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17139&page=&srch_argv=08-000126&srchtype=Seq_Msg_Num&btype=&sortby=&sby)

(CSMS message updating downtime information, 08-000130, dated 07/25/08, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17143&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby)

2. Updated "ACE on the Road" Event Schedule

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its "ACE on the Road" event schedule, which includes the following events:

August 6, 2008 ACE Information Seminar in Houston, TX - conference flyerwas also posted. Cost is $50 for Houston Customhouse Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association members and $60 for non-members (fee is per session - 2 sessions available).

August 7, 2008 ACE Information Seminar in New Orleans, LA - conference flyerwas also posted. Cost is $25 per person.

Topics for the seminars include the current status of ACE, future releases of ACE, and ACE reports (demo), etc.

(Schedule, dated 07/24/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/ace_on_the_road.xml)

3. Updated TRQ/TPL "Threshold to Fill" List

CBP has posted an updated version of its TRQ/TPL "threshold to fill" list, a quick reference to monitor tariff rate quotas and tariff preference levels that are approaching the restraint limit or have filled the in-quota (low duty) rate. The list is divided into two sections - quotas that are at least 85% filled and quotas that are closed. (List, posted 07/24/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/trade/trade_programs/textiles_and_quotas/commodity/trq_thresh_fill.ctt/trq_thresh_fill.pdf)

4. Bogus E-mail Being Distributed that May Contain a Virus

CBP has been notified that a malicious e-mail has been distributed that may include an attachment with a computer virus. Individuals have received e-mail, some from U.S. Customs Service, indicating that a parcel has been received addressed to the recipient of the e-mail. It asks the recipient to fill out a Customs Declaration attached to the e-mail. The message is signed by different names purporting to be employees of the U.S. Customs Service. This attachment may contain a damaging computer virus. CBP notes that there is no longer an entity called the U.S. Customs Service and all CBP e-mail addresses end in dhs.gov. (CBP alert, dated 07/24/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/alerts/email_virus.xml)

5. Other CBP Postings and Messages

Brownsville, Corpus Christi seaports operational again. CBP posted to its Unified Business Resumption Messaging Web site a message announcing that Brownsville and Corpus Christi seaports in Texas are operational again. On July 23, CBP issued a UBRM message stating that these ports were 100% closed due to Hurricane Dolly. (UBRM Web site available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/bus_resumption/maritime/ (Note that messages are no longer posted))

CBP's statement on Hurricane Dolly. CBP also issued a statement in response to Hurricane Dolly. According to the statement, CBP was maintaining, on July 23, 2008, normal border security operations at and between its ports of entry in the impacted area of the border. CBP established a lead field coordinator, which is Chief Ron Vitiello, the local Border Patrol sector chief, etc. (Statement, dated 07/23/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/07232008.xml)

Otay Mesa to conduct traffic study. CBP reports that the Otay Mesa commercial cargo port of entry will open four temporary passenger car processing lanes for three hours on Sunday, July 27, 2008 to test the feasibility of using the truck facility for vehicular traffic. The test will begin once commercial cargo processing at the facilities ceases at about 4 p.m. (News release, dated 07/23/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/07232008_5.xml)

Border Patrol's Weekly Blotter. CBP posted the U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter for July 17 - 23, 2008. The Blotter provides information on Border Patrol activities during the specified week. (Blotter, dated 07/24/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/border_patrol/weekly_blotter/0717_0723.xml)

Port construction ad campaign promotes "improving to keep you moving." CBP reports that this summer, it has launched an aggressive communications campaign to advise travelers of technology-related construction at the U.S.' busiest 39 land ports of entry. The "Improving to keep you moving"- themed campaign includes TV, radio and print ads that coincide with local construction to help travelers be aware of construction timeframes as well as potential impact to wait times. CBP also posted a flyer related to this ad campaign. (Announcement, dated 07/24/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/announce/keep_moving.xml; Flyer available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/announce/whiti_wait.ctt/whiti_wait.pdf)

ESTA FAQs. CBP has posted a frequently asked questions document regarding the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. (FAQs, dated 07/23/08, available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/esta_faq.xml)