CSMS Message: 97-001168

TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.

FROM : JENNIFER ZZ-ENGELBACH

SUBJECT : RLF2 EXTENDED ADDITIONAL YEAR

DATE : 12/03/97

TO: ALL INTERESTED PARTIES

THE GENERAL NOTICE, (COPY FOLLOWS), ENTITLED "EXTENSION OF
NATIONAL CUSTOMS AUTOMATION PROGRAM TEST REGARDING REMOTE LOCATION
FILING" WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ON
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1997. REMOTE LOCATION FILING PROTOTYPE TWO WILL
BE EXTENDED FOR AN ADDITIONAL YEAR.

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE
EXTENSION OF NATIONAL CUSTOMS AUTOMATION PROGRAM TEST
REGARDING REMOTE LOCATION FILING
AGENCY: U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY.
ACTION: GENERAL NOTICE.
SUMMARY: THIS NOTICE ANNOUNCES THAT CUSTOMS IS PERMITTING
AN EXTENSION TO CONTINUE THE SECOND PROTOTYPE OF REMOTE
LOCATION FILING (RLF). THIS NOTICE ALSO INVITES PUBLIC
COMMENTS CONCERNING ANY ASPECT OF THE CURRENT TEST, INFORMS
INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OF THE ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION, DESCRIBES THE
BASIS FOR SELECTING PARTICIPANTS, AND ESTABLISHES THE
PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING EVALUATION CRITERIA. TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE PROTOTYPE TEST, THE NECESSARY INFORMATION, AS
OUTLINED IN THIS NOTICE, MUST BE FILED WITH CUSTOMS AND
APPROVAL GRANTED. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT RESOURCES
EXPENDED BY THE TRADE AND CUSTOMS ON THESE PROTOTYPES MAY
NOT CARRY FORWARD TO THE FINAL PROGRAM. THE FEDERAL
REGISTER (61 FR 60749) NOTICE, DATED NOVEMBER 29, 1996,
CONTINUES TO APPLY EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY NOTED HEREIN.
BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE IN SECOND PROTOTYPE OF RLF, WE
HAVE MADE MODIFICATIONS TO THE SECTIONS DETAILING THE
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND THE PROTOTYPE TWO APPLICATIONS.
THE CHANGES WILL EFFECT PARTIES WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR
PARTICIPATION IN THE EXTENSION OF THE SECOND PROTOTYPE OF
RLF. CURRENT PARTICIPANTS MAY CONTINUE THEIR PARTICIPATION
WITHOUT REAPPLYING.
EFFECTIVE DATE: THE EXTENSION OF THE SECOND PROTOTYPE WILL
COMMENCE NO EARLIER THAN JANUARY 1, 1998, WILL CONTINUE, AND
BE CONCLUDED, NO EARLIER THAN DECEMBER 31, 1998, BY A NOTICE
IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER. COMMENTS CONCERNING ANY ASPECT OF
THE REMOTE FILING PROTOTYPE TEST MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR
BEFORE JANUARY 2, 1998.

ADDRESSES: WRITTEN COMMENTS REGARDING THIS NOTICE, AND
INFORMATION SUBMITTED TO BE CONSIDERED FOR VOLUNTARY
PARTICIPATION IN THE PROTOTYPE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE
REMOTE FILING TEAM, U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, 1300 PENNSYLVANIA
AVENUE, N.W. ROOM 5.2 A, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20229-0001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
FOR SYSTEMS OR AUTOMATION ISSUES: JOSEPH PALMER (202) 927-
0173, JACKIE JEGELS (202) 927-0201, OR PATRICIA WELTER (305)
869-2780. FOR OPERATIONAL OR POLICY ISSUES: JENNIFER
ENGELBACH (202) 927-2293, OR DON LUTHER (202) 927-0915.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
BACKGROUND
TITLE VI OF THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
IMPLEMENTATION ACT (THE ACT), PUBLIC LAW 103-182, 107 STAT.
2057 (DECEMBER 8, 1993), CONTAINS PROVISIONS PERTAINING TO
CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION (107 STAT. 2170). SUBTITLE B OF TITLE
VI ESTABLISHES THE NATIONAL CUSTOMS AUTOMATION PROGRAM
(NCAP), AN AUTOMATED AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM FOR THE
PROCESSING OF COMMERCIAL IMPORTATIONS. SECTION 631 IN
SUBTITLE B OF THE ACT CREATES SECTIONS 411 THROUGH 414 OF
THE TARIFF ACT OF 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1411-1414). THESE DEFINE
AND LIST THE EXISTING AND PLANNED COMPONENTS OF THE NCAP (
411), PROMULGATE PROGRAM GOALS ( 412), PROVIDE FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM ( 413), AND
PROVIDE FOR REMOTE LOCATION FILING ( 414).
THE REMOTE LOCATION FILING (RLF) PROTOTYPE WILL ALLOW
AN APPROVED PARTICIPANT TO ELECTRONICALLY FILE A FORMAL OR
INFORMAL CONSUMPTION ENTRY WITH CUSTOMS FROM A LOCATION
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OTHER THAN THE PORT OF ARRIVAL
(POA), OR FROM WITHIN THE PORT OF ARRIVAL WITH A REQUESTED
DESIGNATED EXAM SITE (DES) OUTSIDE OF THE POA. SECTION
101.9(B) OF THE CUSTOMS REGULATIONS (19 CFR 101.9(B)),
IMPLEMENTS THE TESTING OF NCAP COMPONENTS. SEE, T.D. 95-21
(60 FR 14211, MARCH 16, 1995).
SINCE JUNE 1994, THE CUSTOMS REMOTE TEAM HAS SHARED THE
CUSTOMS RLF CONCEPT THROUGH MANY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CONCEPT
PAPERS, AS WELL AS POSTED INFORMATION ON THE CUSTOMS
ELECTRONIC BULLETIN BOARD (CEBB), THE CUSTOMS ADMINISTRATIVE
MESSAGE SYSTEM, AND THE CUSTOMS WEB PAGE AT "
HTTP://WWW.CUSTOMS.TREAS.GOV/IMP-EXP/COMM-
IMP/REMOTE/TOC.HTM." PURSUANT TO 101.9, CUSTOMS
REGULATIONS, CUSTOMS HAS BEEN TESTING THE RLF CONCEPT. ON
APRIL 6, 1995, CUSTOMS ANNOUNCED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER (60
FR 17605) ITS PLAN TO CONDUCT THE FIRST OF AT LEAST TWO
PROTOTYPE TESTS REGARDING RLF. THE FIRST TEST, PROTOTYPE
ONE, BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 1995. ON FEBRUARY 27, 1996, CUSTOMS
ANNOUNCED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER (61 FR 7300) THAT IT WAS
PERMITTING AN EXTENSION AND EXPANSION OF THE RLF PROTOTYPE
ONE UNTIL THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REMOTE PROTOTYPE TWO. ON
NOVEMBER 29, 1996, CUSTOMS ANNOUNCED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER
(61 FR 60749) ITS PLAN TO CONCLUDE THE FIRST PROTOTYPE TEST
ON DECEMBER 31, 1996, AND CONDUCT A SECOND PROTOTYPE TEST
OF RLF COMMENCING NO EARLIER THAN JANUARY 1, 1997. IN TODAY'
S DOCUMENT, CUSTOMS IS ANNOUNCING THAT IT WILL PERMIT AN
EXTENSION OF THE RLF PROTOTYPE TWO.
THE FIRST REMOTE LOCATION PROTOTYPE TEST WAS OFFERED IN
THE AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL SYSTEM (ACS). ALTHOUGH THE SECOND
REMOTE PROTOTYPE TEST WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO BE TESTED
IN THE AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT (ACE), THE SUCCESS
OF PROTOTYPE ONE PRECIPITATED THE SECOND TEST UNDER ACS WITH
A LARGER PARTICIPANT POOL.
THE FIRST RLF PROTOTYPE (PROTOTYPE ONE) CONCLUDED
DECEMBER 31, 1996. PROTOTYPE ONE WAS CONDUCTED WITH A VERY
LIMITED NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS AT LIMITED LOCATIONS. IT WAS
CONDUCTED WITH MINIMAL SYSTEM CHANGES THEREBY REQUIRING
CUSTOMS TO INTERVENE MANUALLY IN TRACKING AND PROCESSING.
ALL PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES WERE CLOSELY COORDINATED WITH
ALL SELECTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES. THE INTENT OF PROTOTYPE
ONE WAS TO TEST SUCH OPERATIONAL ISSUES AS COMMUNICATION,
CARGO MOVEMENT AND RELEASE, AND SERVICE TO AND FROM REMOTE
LOCATIONS. PROTOTYPE ONE TESTED FEATURES SUCH AS FILING
FROM A REMOTE LOCATION, ALTERNATE EXAM LOCATION, AND ENTRY
SUMMARY WORKLOAD DISTRIBUTION.
THE SECOND RLF PROTOTYPE (PROTOTYPE TWO) COMMENCED
JANUARY 1, 1997, AND WILL BE EXTENDED TO CONCLUDE NO EARLIER
THAN DECEMBER 31, 1998. PROTOTYPE TWO IS AN EXPANDED
VERSION OF PROTOTYPE ONE WITH MORE PORTS AND TRADE
PARTICIPANTS. IN ORDER TO EXPAND THE PROTOTYPE CUSTOMS HAS
TRAINED ADDITIONAL PORTS AND ALLOWED CUSTOMHOUSE BROKERS TO
APPLY AS PARTICIPANTS. PROTOTYPE TWO WILL CONTINUE TO
OPERATE WITH MINIMAL SYSTEM CHANGES. THE INTENT OF THIS
PROTOTYPE IS TO TEST SUCH OPERATIONAL ISSUES AS
COMMUNICATION, CARGO MOVEMENT AND RELEASE, AND SERVICE TO
AND FROM REMOTE LOCATIONS. THIS PROTOTYPE WILL FURTHER TEST
FEATURES SUCH AS FILING FROM A REMOTE LOCATION AND ALTERNATE
EXAM LOCATION.
ADDITIONAL PROTOTYPES OF RLF ARE BEING DEVELOPED BY
CUSTOMS TO DETERMINE THE SYSTEMIC AND OPERATIONAL DESIGN OF
THE FINAL RLF PROGRAM WHICH WILL ALLOW ALL FILERS TO
PARTICIPATE IN THIS TYPE OF ENTRY PROCESS AT A NATIONAL
LEVEL. PROTOTYPE PARTICIPANTS MUST RECOGNIZE THAT THESE
PROTOTYPES TEST THE BENEFITS AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS OF RLF
FOR CUSTOMS, THE TRADE COMMUNITY, AND OTHER PARTIES IMPACTED
BY THIS PROGRAM.
DESCRIPTION OF RLF PROGRAM
THE RLF PROGRAM WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE EXPERIENCES
OF THE PLANNED REMOTE PROTOTYPES AND WITH OTHER CUSTOMS
INITIATIVES SUCH AS THE REORGANIZATION, ACE, TRADE
COMPLIANCE REDESIGN, AND YEAR 2000 PROGRAMMING. THE CUSTOMS
RLF TEAM'S OBJECTIVES ARE:
1) TO WORK WITH THE TRADE COMMUNITY, OTHER AGENCIES,
AND OTHER PARTIES IMPACTED BY THIS PROGRAM IN THE
DESIGN, CONDUCT AND EVALUATION OF A SECOND
PROTOTYPE TEST OF RLF;
2) TO OBTAIN EXPERIENCE THROUGH PROTOTYPE TESTS OF
RLF FOR USE IN THE DESIGN OF OPERATIONAL
PROCEDURES, AUTOMATED SYSTEMS, AND REGULATIONS;
AND
3) TO IMPLEMENT RLF ON A NATIONAL LEVEL IN
CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRADE COMPLIANCE REDESIGN,
AND THE AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENT.
DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TEST
PROTOTYPE TWO COMMENCED JANUARY 1, 1997, AND WILL RUN
UNTIL CONCLUDED, NO EARLIER THAN DECEMBER 31, 1998, BY A
NOTICE IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER. PROTOTYPE TWO WILL
EVALUATE THE OPERATIONAL IMPACT AND PROCEDURES FOR A LARGER
PARTICIPANT BASE, TESTING FILING FROM A REMOTE LOCATION, AND
ALTERNATE LOCATION EXAMINATIONS.
REGULATORY PROVISIONS SUSPENDED
CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN PART 111, AND PART 141, OF THE
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS WILL BE SUSPENDED DURING THIS PROTOTYPE
TEST. THIS WILL ALLOW BROKERS TO FILE REMOTELY TO SERVICE
PORTS, DESIGNATED AS "BROKER DISTRICTS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH A
GENERAL NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER (60 FR
49971, DATED SEPTEMBER 27, 1995), WHERE THEY CURRENTLY DO
NOT HOLD PERMITS, AND TO ALLOW FOR THE MOVEMENT OF CARGO
FROM ITS PORT OF ARRIVAL TO A DESIGNATED EXAMINATION SITE IN
ANOTHER PORT.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
TO QUALIFY, A PARTICIPANT MUST HAVE PROVEN CAPABILITY
TO PROVIDE ELECTRONICALLY, ON AN ENTRY-BY-ENTRY BASIS, THE
FOLLOWING: ENTRY; ENTRY SUMMARY; INVOICE INFORMATION (WHEN
REQUIRED BY THE CUSTOMS SERVICE) USING EIP; AND PAYMENT OF
DUTIES, FEES, AND TAXES THROUGH THE AUTOMATED CLEARINGHOUSE
(ACH).
THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS
APPLY:
1. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE OPERATIONAL ON ACH 30 DAYS
BEFORE APPLYING FOR PROTOTYPE TWO.
2. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE OPERATIONAL ON EIP BEFORE
APPLYING FOR PROTOTYPE TWO.
3. THE REQUESTED CUSTOMS LOCATIONS MUST HAVE
OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE WITH EIP, AND HAVE RECEIVED
RLF TRAINING.
RLF TRAINED LOCATIONS
THE FOLLOWING ARE LOCATIONS CURRENTLY OPERATIONAL
UNDER THE RLF PROTOTYPE TWO TEST: (POA INDICATES A
PORT TRAINED AS A PORT OF ARRIVAL, AND DES INDICATES A
PORT TRAINED AS A DESIGNATED EXAMINATION SITE).

PORT POA DES
ATLANTA X X
BALTIMORE X X
BUFFALO X X
CHAMPLAIN-ROUSES POINT X X
CHARLESTON X X
CHICAGO X X
DALLAS / FT. WORTH X X
DETROIT X X
HOULTON, ME X X
HOUSTON X X
JACKSONVILLE X X
JFK X X
LAREDO / EAGLE PASS X X
LOS ANGELES X X
NY / NEWARK AREA X X
NEW YORK SEAPORT X X
NORFOLK / RICHMOND X X
PORTLAND, ME X X
PORT HURON X X
ROCHESTER X
SAN DIEGO / OTAY MESA X X
SAN FRANCISCO / OAKLAND X X
SAVANNAH X X
SEATTLE X X
UTICA/SYRACUSE X X

FUTURE RLF TRAINED LOCATIONS
AS THE PROTOTYPE CONTINUES AND TRADE
INTEREST WARRANTS, PORTS WHICH ARE NOT CURRENTLY
TRAINED IN EIP AND RLF PROCESSING WILL BE TRAINED.
ANNOUNCEMENTS ON NEWLY TRAINED PORTS WILL BE
PLACED ON THE CEBB AND ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE
SYSTEM. ONE CRITERIA FOR SELECTING A PORT FOR
TRAINING WILL BE INTEREST FROM THE TRADE.
PARTICIPANTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND THEIR
PARTICIPATION TO A NON-TRAINED PORT, SHOULD SEND
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE REMOTE FILING
TEAM, AT U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, 1300 PENNSYLVANIA
AVENUE, N.W. ROOM 5.2 A, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20229-
0001:
A. COMPANY NAME;
B. CONTACT NAME AND PHONE NUMBER;
C. IMPORTER NAME;
D. PORT(S) OF INTEREST; AND
E. THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF ENTRIES A MONTH.
4. PARTICIPANTS MUST MAINTAIN A CONTINUOUS BOND WHICH
MEETS OR EXCEEDS THE NATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR BOND
SUFFICIENCY.
5. ONLY ENTRY TYPES 01 (CONSUMPTION) AND 11
(INFORMAL) WILL BE ACCEPTED.
6. CARGO RELEASE MUST BE CERTIFIED FROM THE ENTRY
SUMMARY (EI) TRANSACTION WITH THE EXCEPTION OF
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY EXPLAINED IN #7.
7. RLF PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO FILE IMMEDIATE
DELIVERY RELEASES FOR DIRECT ARRIVAL ROAD AND RAIL
FREIGHT AT THE LAND BORDER USING PAPER INVOICES
UNDER LINE RELEASE, BORDER CARGO SELECTIVITY
(BCS), OR CARGO SELECTIVITY (CS). THIS MUST BE
DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH 19 CFR 142.21(A).
SUBMISSION OF ALL LINE ITEMS AT THE TIME OF
RELEASE WILL BE REQUIRED OF NORTHERN BORDER FILERS
IF THE RELEASE IS EFFECTED USING BCS OR CS. IF AN
EXAMINATION IS REQUIRED FOR A LINE RELEASE
TRANSACTION, THE FILER MUST SUBMIT ALL RELEVANT
LINE ITEM INFORMATION THROUGH BCS OR CS. UNDER
BCS AND CS, THE EXAMINATION WILL BE PERFORMED AT
THE PORT OF ARRIVAL USING PAPER INVOICES. IF THE
FILER WISHES THE EXAMINATION TO BE PERFORMED AT AN
ALTERNATE SITE, FULL ENTRY SUMMARY INFORMATION (AN
EI TRANSACTION IN ABI) WITH ELECTRONIC INVOICE
MUST BE TRANSMITTED.
8. PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO FILE A RLF
ENTRY INVOLVING CARGO THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN MOVED
USING IN-BOND PROCEDURES.
9. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO USE OTHER
GOVERNMENT AGENCY INTERFACES WHERE AVAILABLE.
10. WHEN NECESSARY, CARGO WILL BE EXAMINED AT THE
CUSTOMS PORT OF ARRIVAL, OR, AT CUSTOMS
DISCRETION, A FILER'S REQUESTED DES, WHICH MUST BE
THE CUSTOMS PORT NEAREST THE FINAL DESTINATION.
THE SCHEDULING (APPROVAL) OF MERCHANDISE FOR
EXAMINATION AT A DES THAT IS NOT AT THE PORT OF
ARRIVAL WILL BE CONSIDERED A CONDITIONAL RELEASE
UNDER PERMIT THAT AUTOMATICALLY OBLIGATES THE
IMPORTER'S BOND PURSUANT TO 19 CFR 113.62 FOR AN
IMMEDIATE REDELIVERY TO THE DES. THIS FEDERAL
REGISTER NOTICE ADVISES THE IMPORTER OF RECORD FOR
SUCH MERCHANDISE THAT THIS MOVEMENT IS A
REDELIVERY AND HE/SHE WILL NOT RECEIVE AN
INDIVIDUAL NOTICE OF REDELIVERY, CUSTOMS FORM
4647, AND THAT THE REDELIVERY CLAUSE OF THE
IMPORTERS BOND IS AUTOMATICALLY TRIGGERED WHENEVER
CUSTOMS DECIDES TO EXAMINE THE MERCHANDISE AT A
DES THAT IS NOT AT THE PORT OF ARRIVAL.
11. IF A NOTICE OF REDELIVERY IS NOT COMPLIED WITH, OR
DELIVERY TO UNAUTHORIZED LOCATIONS, OR DELIVERY TO
THE CONSIGNEE WITHOUT CUSTOMS PERMISSION OCCURS,
THE OBLIGORS AGREE TO PAY LIQUIDATED DAMAGES IN
THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED PURSUANT TO THE BOND IN 19
CFR 113.62 (F).
CUSTOMS WILL WORK WITH ALL PARTICIPANTS TO ENSURE THAT:
1) CUSTOMS CONTACTS AND PROBLEM SOLVING TEAMS ARE
ESTABLISHED, AND
2) PROCEDURES FOR REMOTE ENTRY AND ENTRY SUMMARY
PROCESSING ARE PREPARED.
PROTOTYPE TWO APPLICATIONS
THIS NOTICE SOLICITS APPLICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION IN
REMOTE LOCATION FILING PROTOTYPE TWO. THERE ARE TWO
DISTINCT APPLICATION PROCEDURES, WHICH DEPEND UPON THE
STATUS OF THE APPLICANT. THE FIRST IS A ONE-STEP
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR IMPORTERS APPLYING ON THEIR OWN
BEHALF AS WELL AS FOR BROKERS ACTING ON BEHALF OF SPECIFIC
CLIENTS. THE SECOND IS A TWO-STEP PROCESS FOR BROKERS
APPLYING ON THEIR OWN BEHALF.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST INITIALLY BE SUBMITTED TO THE
U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, 1300 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W. ROOM
5.2 A, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20229-0001. APPLICATIONS WILL BE
ACCEPTED UP TO 30 DAYS BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE PROTOTYPE TWO
EXTENSION.
SINCE THIS IS AN EXTENSION OF REMOTE PROTOTYPE TWO,
CURRENT PARTICIPANTS MAY CONTINUE THEIR PARTICIPATION
WITHOUT REAPPLYING. NOTE THAT PARTICIPATION IN RLF
PROTOTYPE TWO IS NOT CONFIDENTIAL, AND THAT LISTS OF
PARTICIPANTS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

IMPORTERS / BROKERS ON BEHALF OF CLIENTS
THESE APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE U.S.
CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS (ADDRESS CITED ABOVE) WITH THE
FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
1. IMPORTER NAME AND, IF APPLICABLE, BROKER NAME,
ADDRESS, AND FILER CODE;
2. SUPPLIER NAME, ADDRESS, AND MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER;
3. TYPES OF COMMODITIES TO BE IMPORTED;
4. OTHER AGENCY REQUIREMENTS;
5. SITE(S) FROM WHICH THE APPLICANT WILL BE
TRANSMITTING THE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION;
6. PORT NAME AND PORT CODE FOR PORT(S) OF ARRIVAL;
7. PORT NAME AND PORT CODE FOR DESIGNATED EXAMINATION
SITE(S) LOCATED NEAREST THE FINAL DESTINATION(S);
8. MONTHLY VOLUME ANTICIPATED;
9. ELECTRONIC INVOICING PROGRAM STATUS AND STARTING
DATE;
10. ELECTRONIC PAYMENT (ACH) STATUS AND STARTING DATE;
AND
11. MAIN CONTACT PERSON AND TELEPHONE NUMBER.
BROKERS AS APPLICANTS
THIS APPLICATION PROCESS WILL BE DONE IN TWO
STEPS. DURING THE FIRST STEP, THE BROKER MUST SUBMIT
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO U.S. CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS
(ADDRESS CITED ABOVE):
1. BROKER NAME, ADDRESS, FILER CODE AND IRS#;
2. ELECTRONIC INVOICING PROGRAM STATUS AND STARTING
DATE;
3. ELECTRONIC PAYMENT (ACH) STATUS AND STARTING DATE;
4. SITE(S) FROM WHICH THE BROKER WILL BE TRANSMITTING
THE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION;
5. TYPE OF PROTOCOL: AII, EDIFACT OR BOTH; AND
6. POINT OF CONTACT.
ONCE A BROKER HAS RECEIVED WRITTEN APPROVAL FROM
U.S. CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS TO PROCEED WITH THE SECOND
STEP OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS, THE BROKER MUST SUBMIT
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE PORT DIRECTOR(S)
OVERSEEING EACH REQUESTED POA AND DES LOCATION FOR EACH
CLIENT (IMPORTER):
1. PARTICIPATING CLIENT NAME, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND
IMPORTER NUMBER;
2. SUPPLIER NAME, ADDRESS, AND MANUFACTURER'S NUMBER;
3. TYPES OF COMMODITIES TO BE IMPORTED;
4. OTHER AGENCY REQUIREMENTS;
5. SITE(S) FROM WHICH THE APPLICANT WILL BE
TRANSMITTING THE ELECTRONIC INFORMATION;
6. PORT NAME AND PORT CODE FOR PORT(S) OF ARRIVAL;
7. PORT NAME AND PORT CODE FOR DESIGNATED EXAMINATION
SITE(S) LOCATED NEAREST THE FINAL DESTINATION(S);
8. MONTHLY ENTRY VOLUME ANTICIPATED;
9. CARRIERS USED AND THEIR AUTOMATED MANIFEST SYSTEM
(AMS) STATUS;
10. MAIN CONTACT PERSON AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF FILER;
AND
11. CERTIFICATION THAT A COPY OF THIS APPLICATION
LETTER HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE CLIENT NAMED IN
ITEM 1.
BASIS FOR PARTICIPANT SELECTION
THE BASIS FOR APPLICATIONS APPROVED BY CUSTOMS
HEADQUARTERS WILL BE EIP OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE, ELECTRONIC
ABILITIES, AVAILABLE ELECTRONIC INTERFACES WITH OTHER
AGENCY'S IMPORT REQUIREMENTS, AND OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS.
FOR APPLICATION SCENARIOS REQUESTING A DES OUTSIDE OF THE
POA, THE COMPLIANCE RATE OF THE PARTIES INVOLVED WILL BE
TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
THE BASIS FOR APPLICATIONS BEING APPROVED OR DENIED BY
THE PORT DIRECTOR(S) WILL INVOLVE ISSUES SUCH AS IMPACT ON
AVAILABLE RESOURCES, COMMODITY REQUIREMENTS AND IF THE PORT
HAS BEEN TRAINED IN EIP/RLF.
THE PORT DIRECTOR HAS 10 WORKING DAYS AFTER THE RECEIPT
OF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECOND STEP OF THE
APPLICATION PROCESS TO PROVIDE WRITTEN APPROVAL OR DENIAL TO
THE APPLICANT. IF THE PORT DIRECTOR DENIES THE APPLICATION,
THAT DENIAL IS EFFECTIVE FOR 10 WORKING DAYS. AFTER THAT, A
NEW REQUEST MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE PORT DIRECTOR AT THE
PORT OF ARRIVAL AND THE DESIGNATED EXAMINATION SITE. IF THE
APPLICANT DOES NOT RECEIVE A REPLY FROM THE PORT DIRECTOR
WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF SUBMISSION, THE
APPLICATION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED DENIED. THOSE APPLICANTS
NOT SELECTED FOR PARTICIPATION BY U.S. CUSTOMS HEADQUARTERS
WILL BE SENT A LETTER OF DENIAL. THEY WILL, HOWEVER, BE
INVITED TO COMMENT ON THE DESIGN, CONDUCT, AND EVALUATION OF
THIS PROTOTYPE.
ALSO, IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT IF A COMPANY IS INTERESTED
IN FILING REMOTELY, IT MUST FIRST BE OPERATIONAL WITH EIP.
FOR INFORMATION ON EIP, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ABI CLIENT
REPRESENTATIVE.
DISMISSAL FROM PROTOTYPE TWO
IF A FILER ATTEMPTS TO SUBMIT DATA RELATING TO
RESTRICTED MERCHANDISE OR MERCHANDISE SUBJECT TO QUOTA, ANTI-
DUMPING DUTIES, COUNTERVAILING DUTIES, OR OTHER NON-ELIGIBLE
DATA THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC INVOICE PROGRAM, THE FILER MAY
BE EXPELLED FROM THE PROGRAM, PREVENTED FROM PARTICIPATION
IN FUTURE RLF PROTOTYPES, AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO LIQUIDATED
DAMAGES AND/OR PENALTIES UNDER 592, TARIFF ACT OF 1930, AS
AMENDED (19 U.S.C. 1592).
III. TEST EVALUATION CRITERIA
ONCE PARTICIPANTS ARE SELECTED, CUSTOMS AND THE
PARTICIPANTS WILL MEET PUBLICLY OR IN AN ELECTRONIC FORUM TO
REVIEW COMMENTS RECEIVED CONCERNING THE METHODOLOGY OF THE
TEST PROGRAM OR PROCEDURES, COMPLETE PROCEDURES IN LIGHT OF
THOSE COMMENTS, AND ESTABLISH BASELINE MEASURES AND
EVALUATION METHODS AND CRITERIA. EVALUATIONS OF THE
PROTOTYPE WILL BE CONDUCTED AND THE FINAL RESULTS WILL BE
PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER AS REQUIRED BY 101.9(B),
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS.
THE FOLLOWING EVALUATION METHODS AND CRITERIA HAVE BEEN
IDENTIFIED.
1. BASELINE MEASUREMENTS WILL BE ESTABLISHED THROUGH
DATA QUERIES AND QUESTIONNAIRES.
2. REPORTS WILL BE RUN THROUGH USE OF DATA QUERY
THROUGHOUT THE PROTOTYPE.
3. QUESTIONNAIRES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED DURING AND
AFTER THE PROTOTYPE PERIOD. PARTICIPANTS ARE
REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES IN FULL
AND RETURN THEM WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT.
CUSTOMS MAY EVALUATE ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS:
. WORKLOAD IMPACT (WORKLOAD SHIFTS, VOLUME, ETC.);
. POLICY AND PROCEDURAL ACCOMMODATION;
. TRADE COMPLIANCE IMPACT;
. ALTERNATE EXAM SITE ISSUES (WORKLOAD SHIFT,
COORDINATION/COMMUNICATION, ETC.);
. PROBLEM SOLVING;
. SYSTEM EFFICIENCY; AND
. THE COLLECTION OF STATISTICS.
THE TRADE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVALUATING THE FOLLOWING
ITEMS:
. SERVICE IN CARGO CLEARANCE;
. PROBLEM RESOLUTION;
. COST BENEFITS;
. SYSTEM EFFICIENCY;
. OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY; AND
. OTHER ITEMS IDENTIFIED BY THE PARTICIPANT GROUP.

DATED: NOVEMBER 26, 1997
ACTING ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER
OFFICE OF FIELD OPERATIONS
AUDREY ADAMS