| Title: | -RENEWAL |
|---|---|
| Date: | 1994-12-06 |
| To: | abi |
| Links: | previous, next |
TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.
FROM : LISA CROSBY
SUBJECT : GSP--RENEWAL
DATE : 12/06/94
5340071
DECEMBER 6, 1994
CATEGORY: GSP CO:TO:TF:TP LAC
TO : ALL ASSISTANT REGIONAL COMMISSIONERS (OPERATIONS),
REGIONAL DIRECTORS FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS, DISTRICT
DIRECTORS
FROM : DIRECTOR
OFFICE OF TRADE OPERATIONS
RE : PENDING RENEWAL OF THE GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF
PREFERENCES (GSP)
PASS TO: IMPORT SPECIALISTS, ENTRY SPECIALISTS, INSPECTORS AND
OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES SUCH AS BROKERS AND IMPORTERS
TITLE VI, SUBTITLE A, OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENTS ACT (THE
ACT), WHICH WAS RECENTLY APPROVED BY CONGRESS, RENEWS THE
GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES (GSP) RETROACTIVELY FROM ITS
DATE OF EXPIRATION (SEPTEMBER 30, 1994) THROUGH JULY 31, 1995.
THIS NOTICE IS IN RESPONSE TO THE NUMEROUS CALLS CUSTOMS HAS BEEN
RECEIVING REGARDING THIS PROVISION OF THE ACT.
ACTION:
1. DUTY-FREE ENTRY SUMMARIES
A) THE ACT DOES NOT BECOME LAW UNTIL SIGNED BY PRESIDENT
CLINTON. UNTIL THE ACT IS SIGNED, FILERS MUST CONTINUE
TO DEPOSIT DUTIES FOR ENTRY SUMMARIES COVERING GSP-
ELIGIBLE MERCHANDISE.
B) UPON THE DATE OF SIGNATURE OF THE ACT, FILERS ARE
ENTITLED TO FILE ENTRY SUMMARIES WITHOUT THE PAYMENT OF
DUTY. CUSTOMS EXPECTS TO HAVE THE AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL
SYSTEM (ACS) REPROGRAMMED TO ACCEPT DUTY-FREE ENTRY
SUMMARIES THROUGH THE AUTOMATED BROKER INTERFACE (ABI)
BY DECEMBER 19, 1994. IT IS LIKELY THAT THE ACT WILL
BECOME LAW BEFORE DECEMBER 19, AND HENCE BEFORE
REPROGRAMMING IS COMPLETE. IF THIS OCCURS, FILERS MAY
EITHER FILE NON-ABI DUTY-FREE ENTRY SUMMARIES OR THEY
MAY CONTINUE TO FILE ABI ENTRY SUMMARIES WITH DUTIES
USING THE SPECIAL PROGRAM INDICATOR "A", AS THEY DID
WHILE THE PROGRAM WAS LAPSED, AND AWAIT A REFUND IN
EARLY 1995. AN ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE WILL BE ISSUED
AS SOON AS REPROGRAMMING IS COMPLETE.
2. REFUNDS
A) FILERS WHO REQUESTED REFUNDS BY USING THE SPECIAL
PROGRAM INDICATOR "A", NEED TAKE NO FURTHER ACTION AT
THIS TIME. CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS WILL BEGIN ISSUING
REFUNDS FOR THESE ENTRY SUMMARIES SHORTLY. INTEREST
WILL BE PAID ON THESE REFUNDS.
B) NON-ABI FILERS WHO DID NOT REQUEST A REFUND BY USING
THE SPECIAL PROGRAM INDICATOR "A" MUST REQUEST A REFUND
IN WRITING FROM THE DISTRICT DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMS AT THE
PORT OF ENTRY. SPECIFIC PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING A
REFUND FOR ENTRY SUMMARIES THAT WERE NOT FILED THROUGH
THE AUTOMATED BROKER INTERFACE WILL BE ISSUED ONCE THE
ACT BECOMES LAW.
PERSONS WITH QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE MAY CONTACT LISA
CROSBY, TRADE AGREEMENTS BRANCH, AT (202) 927-0163.
PHILIP METGZER