CBP Discontinues TradeLinks for User Fee Decals and Transponders; Applications Must Be Mailed Until DTOPS Operational in Late October
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message announcing that beginning on or about October 24, 20081, CBP will use a new system, the Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS), for user fee decal and transponder transactions.
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(CBP's Ports of Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles recently issued notices announcing that the new system would start on September 24, 2008.)
TradeLinks No Longer Operational, All Applications Must be Sent via Mail
According to CBP, the previous decal and transponder payment system, TradeLinks, is no longer operational effective September 18, 2008 and all paper applications must be submitted to the following address for fulfillment:
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.
CBP Says There May Be a Gap in On-Line Service
CBP explains 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.
(CBP sources note that until DTOPS is made available to the public, there will be no electronic decal and transponder system available.)
DTOPS Will Mirror Main Functionality of Current System, Include Certain Enhancements
DTOPS will mirror the main functionality of TradeLinks, which was 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.
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.)
1CBP sources note that the actual date has yet to be determined
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/12/08 news, 08091205, for BP summary of CBP's ports' announcement that DTOPS would start on September 24, 2008.)
CSMS 08-000225 (dated 09/19/08) available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17249&page=&srch_argv=08-000225&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby=