CSMS Message: 96-001162

THE FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF A NOTICE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER:
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE
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EXTENSION OF NATIONAL CUSTOMS AUTOMATION TEST
REGARDING ELECTRONIC PROTEST FILING
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AGENCY: U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.
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ACTION: GENERAL NOTICE.
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SUMMARY: THIS NOTICE ANNOUNCES CUSTOMS PLAN TO EXTEND THE TEST
OF ITS ELECTRONIC FILING OF PROTESTS AND TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF
TEST PORTS. THE TEST WILL NOT BE OPENED TO NEW PARTICIPANTS AT
THIS TIME. THE NOTICE INVITES PUBLIC COMMENTS CONCERNING ANY
ASPECT OF THE TEST.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: THE TEST OF ELECTRONIC FILING OF PROTESTS, WHICH
WAS SCHEDULED TO END ON OCTOBER 31, 1996, IS NOW SCHEDULED TO
EXTEND THROUGH APRIL, 1997.
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ADDRESSES: WRITTEN COMMENTS REGARDING THIS NOTICE OR ANY ASPECT
OF THE TEST OF THE ELECTRONIC PROTEST SYSTEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED
TO THE CHIEF, COMMERCIAL COMPLIANCE BRANCH, U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE,
1301 CONSTITUTION AVENUE, N.W., ROOM 1313, WASHINGTON, D.C.
20229-0001.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
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FOR OPERATIONAL OR POLICY ISSUES: NEIL SHANNON (202) 927-0300.
FOR SYSTEM OR AUTOMATION ISSUES: STEVE LINNEMANN (202) 927-0436.
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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BACKGROUND
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ON JANUARY 30, 1996, A DOCUMENT WAS PUBLISHED BY CUSTOMS IN THE
FEDERAL REGISTER (61 FR 3086) ANNOUNCING, AS PART OF THE NATIONAL
CUSTOMS AUTOMATION PROGRAM (NCAP), A TEST REGARDING THE ELECTRONIC
FILING OF PROTESTS. THE TEST, WHICH BEGAN ON MAY 1, 1996 AND WAS TO
LAST SIX MONTHS, INVOLVED TRANSACTION SETS FOR THE AUTOMATED BROKER
INTERFACE (ABI) ALLOWING THE FOLLOWING TO BE FILED ELECTRONICALLY AND
THEIR STATUS TO BE TRACKED ELECTRONICALLY:
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(1) PROTESTS AGAINST DECISIONS OF THE CUSTOMS SERVICE UNDER
19 U.S.C. 1514;
(2) CLAIMS FOR REFUNDS OF CUSTOMS DUTIES OR CORRECTIONS OF ERRORS
REQUIRING RELIQUIDATION PURSUANT TO 19 U.S.C. 1520(C) AND (D); AND
(3) INTERVENTIONS IN AN IMPORTER'S PROTEST BY AN EXPORTER OR
PRODUCER OF MERCHANDISE FROM A COUNTRY THAT IS A PARTY TO THE NORTH
AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT UNDER SEC 181.115 OF THE CUSTOMS
REGULATIONS.
A TOTAL OF SEVENTEEN ENTITIES, CONSISTING OF IMPORTERS, BROKERS,
LEGAL FIRMS AND SURETIES, VOLUNTEERED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TEST.
TEN OF THESE VOLUNTEERS ARE CURRENTLY OPERATIONAL. EIGHT PORTS WERE
ORIGINALLY SELECTED FOR THE TEST: BALTIMORE, BUFFALO, CHICAGO, LOS
ANGELES, LAREDO, LOS ANGELES AIRPORT, NEW YORK AND PHILADELPHIA.
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EXTENSION OF TEST
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THE PURPOSE OF THIS NOTICE IS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT CUSTOMS HAS
EXTENDED THE TEST OF ELECTRONIC FILING AND QUERY OF PROTESTS. THE TEST
IS NOW EXTENDED THROUGH APRIL, 1997. WHILE THE TEST WILL NOT BE OPENED
TO NEW PARTICIPANTS AT THIS TIME, CUSTOMS WILL CONSIDER EXPANDING THE
NUMBER OF PORTS AT WHICH ELECTRONIC PROTESTS MAY BE FILED. CUSTOMS IS
CONSIDERING EXPANDING THE TEST TO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING PORTS:
CHARLESTON (SOUTH CAROLINA), DALLAS, EL PASO, HOUSTON, SEATTLE, MIAMI
AND NEW ORLEANS.
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DATED: ROBERT TROTTER
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ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS
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