CBP to Use New User Fee Decal & Transponder System Beginning September 24, 2008
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Ports of Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles have each issued notices announcing that beginning on September 24, 2008, CBP will use a new system in the issuance of user fee decals and transponders.
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The new system, the Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS), has been created as a CBP Web site available to the public for user fee decal and transponder transactions.
DTOPS Will Mirror Main Functionality of Current System, Include Certain Enhancements
DTOPS will mirror the main functionality of the current decal and transponder payment system, TradeLinks, a public Internet site developed and maintained by Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, PA.
It will also include some enhancements requested by the CBP Revenue Division in Indianapolis, IN, which is the group that works most closely with the users.
With DTOPS, Users Can Purchase, Renew, and Transfer User Fees for Transponders, Etc.
With DTOPS, public users with a Web browser and Internet access can purchase, renew, and transfer user fees for the transponder(s) for their vehicle(s) and can purchase and renew user fees for the decal(s) for their aircraft(s) or vessel(s).
DTOPS also gives public users the ability to update their conveyances, company accounts, registered owners, and user access. Using DTOPS, owners can also order a free replacement transponder, perform a user fee transfer for a vehicle, update vehicle information, and pay for the current and following year's renewal fee(s) within a specific timeframe.
Applications Submitted After September 24th Need to Go to New Address
For all applications submitted after September 24, 2008, correspondence will no longer be accepted at the current Pittsburgh, PA address. The new address for submitting all paper correspondence is the following:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Attn: DTOPS Program Administrator
- 0 Telecom Drive Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Correspondence sent via facsimile must be sent to (317) 290-3219.
There May Be a Gap in On-Line Service as New System is Brought On-Line
CBP states that as with all new systems, there may be a gap in on-line service as the new system is brought on-line. CBP will work to ensure any delays are as minimal in impact as possible to customers.
CBP notes that customers will be contacted in the near future with more information about accessing their data in the new DTOPS system.
Carriers Reminded to Ensure Vehicles Carry a Copy of CBP Receipt that Reflects Appropriate Transponder
CBP reminds carriers to ensure that all commercial vehicles in their fleets carry a copy of the CBP receipt that reflects the appropriate transponder.
(In April 1986, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) (Public Law 99-272) was signed into law, which authorizes CBP to collect user fees for various services. The law initially established processing fees for air and sea passengers, commercial trucks, rail cars, private vessels, dutiable mail packages, and Customs broker permits. The user fees were established to offset inspection costs that were previously funded solely by general taxpayer revenue.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 08/19/08 and 08/25/08 news, 08081999 2 and 08082599 3, for BP previous summaries of Chicago's Pipeline and Miami's Bulletin on DTOPS.)
LA Public Bulletin (LA08-023, dated 08/27/08) available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com
Chicago Pipeline (08-32, dated 08/14/08) available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com
Miami Information Bulletin (08-046, dated 08/19/08) available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com