| Title: | APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE EIP AND RLF |
|---|---|
| Date: | 2003-03-05 |
| To: | abi |
| Links: | previous, next |
TO : DIRECTORS, FIELD OPERATIONS
FROM : ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS
SUBJECT : APPROVAL PROCESS FOR THE ELECTRONIC INVOICING PROGRAM
(EIP) AND REMOTE LOCATION FILING (RLF)
THE PURPOSE OF THIS MEMORANDUM IS TO ESTABLISH A UNIFORM AND STREAMLINED
METHOD OF APPROVING REQUESTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTRONIC
INVOICING PROGRAM (EIP) AND REMOTE LOCATION FILING (RLF). IN ADDITION,
THIS MEMORANDUM OUTLINES PROCEDURES FOR SUSPENDING PARTICIPATION OF
AN EIP OR RLF PARTICIPANT.
THE NEW EIP/RLF APPROVAL PROCESS WILL BE CENTRALIZED AT HEADQUARTERS
AND WILL USE A VARIATION OF THE ELECTRONIC INVOICING NOTIFICATION
FORM (EIN). WHERE POSSIBLE, EMAIL SYSTEMS WILL BE USED AMONG THE PORTS,
ABI CLIENT REPRESENTATIVES (CR'S), HEADQUARTERS, AND THE REQUESTING
TRADE PARTY TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS. IF THE REQUESTING PARTY DOES NOT
HAVE EMAIL, THEN A FACSIMILE CAN BE USED.
THE FOCUS OF THE NEW APPROVAL PROCESS INCLUDES:
* CENTRALIZATION OF THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL DECISIONS FOR TRADE EIP/RLF
REQUESTS WITH THE HEADQUARTERS FIELD OPERATIONS (OFO) EIP/RLF
PROGRAM OFFICER,
* RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REVIEW OF THE ELECTRONIC ENTRY AND INVOICE
FILINGS FOR CONTENT, COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY WITH THE PROGRAM
OFFICER AND,
* BETTER COMMUNICATION AMONG PORTS, HQ AND ABI CLIENT REPRESENTATIVES
THROUGHOUT THE APPROVAL PROCESS
CUSTOMS HAS THE DISCRETION TO SUSPEND EIP/RLF PARTICIPATION BASED ON THE
DETERMINATION THAT AN UNACCEPTABLE COMPLIANCE RISK EXISTS. THIS WOULD
OCCUR AFTER A PORT HAS ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THE NON-COMPLIANCE THROUGH
DOCUMENTED INFORMED COMPLIANCE WITHOUT SUCCESS.
IF A COMPLIANCE RISK EXISTS, THE ASSISTANT PORT DIRECTOR WILL REQUEST
A WARNING OF SUSPENSION OR SUSPENSION OF A PARTICIPANT IN AN EMAIL TO
THE HQ/OFO PROGRAM OFFICER. THESE REQUESTS WILL EXPLAIN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE COMPLIANCE RISK(S) AND ANY INFORMED COMPLIANCE
ATTEMPTED. THE PROGRA MOFFICER WILL DETERMINE AND NOTIFY THE PORT
AND THE ABI CLIENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF THE
SUSPENSION REQUEST VIA EMAIL WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS OF THE REQUEST
RECEIPT. HOWEVER, IN THE CASE OF ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT VIOLATIONS
OR WHERE PUBLIC HEALTH INTEREST OR SAFETY ARE CONCERNED, THE SUSPENSION
MAY BE EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
PLEASE PASS TO ALL PORT DIRECTORS, ALL ASSISTANT PORT DIRECTORS, RLF/EIP
COORDINATORS, IMPORT SPECIALISTS, ENTRY SPECIALISTS, AND INSPECTORS.
PLEASE REFER TO FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE DATED 02/25/03 PAGE 8812 FOR
THE NEW RLF PROCEDURES. ANY QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE HQ/OFO
EIP/RLF PROGRAM OFFICER, LISA SANTANA, SUMMARY MANAGEMENT BRANCH AT
(202) 927-4342.
/S/
ELIZABETH G. DURANT