CSMS Message: 01-001053

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE TRADE COMMUNITY

TARIFF CLASSIFICATION RULING REQUESTS
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DUE TO THE DAMAGE TO WORLD TRADE CENTER BUILDING #6, WHICH HOUSED THE
NATIONAL COMMODITY SPECIALIST DIVISION OF THE OFFICE OF REGULATIONS &
RULINGS, CUSTOMS IS SUSPENDING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE THE 30-DAY TARIFF
CLASSIFICATION, MARKING AND NAFTA RULINGS PROGRAM WHICH WAS ADMINISTERED
BY THAT OFFICE.

PARTIES WHO HAD PENDING RULINGS REQUESTS AT THE NCSD SHOULD ASSUME THAT
THOSE RECORDS WERE DESTROYED. DO NOT RE-SUBMIT YOUR REQUESTS TO OR&R,
CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS. LIKEWISE, NO NEW REQUESTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO
CUSTOMS AT THIS TIME. CUSTOMS PORTS WHICH HAVE HAD RULING REQUESTS
REFERRED TO THEM BY THE NCSD HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO HOLD ANY SUCH
REQUESTS UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE.

THIS SUSPENSION IS TEMPORARY AND WILL BE LIFTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
CUSTOMS IS AGGRESSIVELY WORKING ON A RECOVERY STRATEGY FOR THE NATIONAL
COMMODITY SPECIALIST DIVISION AND THEIR RULINGS PROGRAM. NEW OFFICE
SPACE FOR THE NATIONAL IMPORT SPECIALISTS HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. AS SOON
AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE IN THIS REGARD, THE TRADE
COMMUNITY WILL BE INFORMED.

PENDING REINSTATEMENT, PARTIES ARE ADVISED THAT THE SUSPENSION OF THE
RULINGS PROGRAM DOES NOT IN ANY WAY ELIMINATE OR RELIEVE A PARTY
QUALIFYING AS AN IMPORTER OF RECORD OF THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT TO
EXERCISE REASONABLE CARE IN MAKING ENTRY OR COMPLETING ENTRY OF
MERCHANDISE. YOU SHOULD USE OTHER ESTABLISHED METHODS AVAILABLE TO
ASSIST YOU IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, INCLUDING:

- USING THE CUSTOMS SERVICE WEBSITE AT WWW.CUSTOMS.GOV FOR
- SEARCHING PRIOR RULINGS, AND
- READING THE CUSTOMS INFORMED COMPLIANCE PUBLICATIONS,
INCLUDING "WHAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE TRADE COMMUNITY
SHOULD KNOW ABOUT REASONABLE CARE";

- OBTAINING THE ADVICE OF AN EXPERT SUCH AS A LICENSED CUSTOMS
BROKER, ATTORNEY, OR CONSULTANT;

- CONTACTING LOCAL CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT THE PORT OF ENTRY;

- USING ACCOUNT MANAGERS TO A GREATER EXTENT, IF YOUR COMPANY
HAS BEEN SELECTED AS AN ACCOUNT.

POINT OF CONTACT: JOHN DURANT, 202-927-1964

PRE - CLASS
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THE OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS IS ALSO SUSPENDING THE PRE-CLASS PROGRAM
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, EXCEPT FOR TEXTILES AND APPAREL.

POINT OF CONTACT: ANNE LOMBARDI, 202-927-0300