CSMS Message: 03-002104

THIS MESSAGE IS IN REFERENCE TO CBP DIRECTIVE #3240-036A TITLED,
'IN-BOND PROCESSING AND CUSTOMS FORM 7512 PREPARATION', AVAILABLE
ON THE WEB AT:

HTTP://WWW.CBP.GOV/XP/CGOV/TOOLBOX/LEGAL/DIRECTIVES/

THE PURPOSE OF THIS DIRECTIVE IS TO ENSURE UNIFORM PROCESSING OF
IN-BOND DOCUMENTS, IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE IN-BOND PROCESS
AND IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITY BY MANDATING MORE COMPLETE
INFORMATION.

KEY ELEMENTS OF THIS DIRECTIVE INCLUDE:

- REVIEWS OF IN-BOND DOCUMENTS PERFORMED BY CBP OFFICERS TO ENSURE
COMPLETENESS AND ACCURACY OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED.
- A UNIFORM CORRECTION POLICY WITH IMPROVED ACCOUNTABILITY.
- MANDATORY INPUT OF INFORMATION INTO THE CBP AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
PRIOR TO MOVEMENT OF IN-BOND SHIPMENTS.
- ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION PORT MUST BE REPORTED AND INPUT INTO THE
CBP AUTOMATED SYSTEMS PROMPTLY.
- REPORTING EXPORTATION OF IN-BOND SHIPMENTS IN THE CBP AUTOMATED
SYSTEMS MAY NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL THE MERCHANDISE IS PHYSICALLY
LOCATED WHERE EXPORTATION IS REASONABLY ASSURED.
- EXAMINATION OF IN-BOND SHIPMENTS IN ADDITION TO MANDATED "TIN
MAN" EXAMINATIONS IS ENCOURAGED TO PREVENT SMUGGLING.
- PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CF 7512 THAT INCLUDE DATA
REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH FIELD THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE
REGULATIONS.
- DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE "24 HOUR
RULE", CBP REGULATIONS AND THE TRADE ACT OF 2002.

DUE TO THE POTENTIALLY DISRUPTIVE NATURE OF SOME OF THESE
PROVISIONS, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS DIRECTIVE IS BEING PHASED IN
OVER 60 DAYS. KEY ELEMENTS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDE:

- THE PUBLICATION DATE OF THE DIRECTIVE IS AUGUST 7, 2003.
- THE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS SHALL BE INFORMATIONAL ONLY UNTIL
OCTOBER 20, 2003. DURING THIS 60-DAY PERIOD, CBP PERSONNEL MAY
PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO TRADE PARTICIPANTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN
INFORMED COMPLIANCE. AT THE END OF THIS TIME FRAME, CBP OFFICERS
MAY REJECT SHIPMENTS THAT DO NOT MEET THE NEW GUIDELINES.
- THE OPERATIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE DIRECTIVE SHALL BE EFFECTIVE
OCTOBER 20, 2003. THIS WILL ALLOW CBP FIELD OFFICES TO DEVELOP
PROCEDURES CONSISTENT WITH THE POLICY CHANGE AND IMPLEMENT THEM
WITH MINIMAL DISRUPTION. LOCAL PROCEDURES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE
PRIOR TO OCTOBER 1, 2003 AS THEY ARE COMPLETED. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW
TIME FOR TRADE PARTICIPANTS TO EXPLORE IN-BOND AUTOMATION OPTIONS.
- IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS DIRECTIVE IS NOT DEPENDENT ON THE ROLLOUT
SCHEDULE FOR AUTOMATION OPTIONS. INPUT OF PAPER IN-BOND DOCUMENTS
WILL BE PERFORMED UNDER CURRENT PROCEDURE ALLOWING FOR MANUAL INPUT
OF DATA ELEMENTS. THE MANUAL PROCESSING WILL BE DISCONTINUED AT
LAND BORDER LOCATIONS AS THE TRADE ACT REGULATIONS ARE IMPLEMENTED.

QUESTIONS REGARDING POLICY CHANGES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO JAMES
SWANSON, OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS, CBP HEADQUARTERS AT
(202) 927-0966.

QUESTIONS REGARDING LOCAL PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE
LOCAL CBP OFFICE.