CBP to Automate Versions of CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647 with ESAR A2.2 Deployment
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will automate versions of the following most commonly used CBP forms with the deployment of ESAR A2.2 (the Initial Entry Summary Types release)1, which is expected in spring 2009:
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CBP Form 28: Request for Information
CBP Form 29: Notice of Action
CBP Form 4647: Notice to Mark and/or Notice to Redeliver
Trade Will be Able to Interact Faster With Import Specialists
The new paperless process will allow importers, brokers or filers2 with an ACE Secure Data Portal account to interact faster and more efficiently with an import specialist to ensure goods are properly classified on the entry summary.
Automating CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647 will reduce the time and effort of import specialists to provide notification to a filer or request more documentation for roughly 260,000 entry summaries each year - five percent of entry summaries filed.
Automation will also facilitate CBP's goal of streamlining the team review process. During team review, an import specialist uses these forms to interact with filers to ensure imported goods are recorded correctly, modify incorrect classification values or determine if the import complies with U.S. trademark regulations.
Importers Will Have the Option of Submitting Files Electronically, Track Status
With the new automated forms capability, import specialists will be able to send an electronic request for information to importers that have established ACE Secure Data Portal accounts. CBP has previously stated that brokers will continue to receive a courtesy copy of CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647 as they do today.
Importers, brokers or filers2 will have the option of attaching an electronic file containing supplemental materials and using the ACE portal to track the status of their submissions, ensuring CBP has received the requested documentation.
(Currently, import specialists examine the entry summary for potential inaccuracies, and if more documentation or action is required, paper forms (e.g. a CF 28) are delivered to importers. Importers or their brokers return the requested information through a mail carrier service, prolonging the time it takes CBP to receive this information and making it difficult for filers to confirm that the information was received by CBP.)
1The automation of these forms is part of ESAR A2.2. ESAR A2.2 will enable consumption and informal entry processing, entry types 01 and 11, respectively, to be processed in ACE.
2While CBP's notice only references importers, CBP has previously stated that brokers or filers who would like to input or respond to CBP Forms 28, 29 or 4647 on behalf of importers can, but will require access to the importer's account either as a user of the importer's account or via cross account access.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/11/09 news, 09031110, for BP summary of ESAR A2.2 capabilities, etc.
See ITT's Online Archives or 02/17/09 news, 09021705, for BP summary announcing that ESAR A2.2 would begin in spring 2009.
See ITT's Online Archives or 03/06/09 news, 09030605, for BP summary of the ESAR A2.2 deployment schedule.)
CBP's notice (dated 03/17/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/automated/modernization/whats_new/auto_process.xml)