CSMS Message: 98-000400

TO: ALL ABI FILERS

FROM: OFFICE OF TRADE COMPLIANCE

SUBJECT: INCREASE IN INFORMAL ENTRY VALUE LIMIT

THIS MESSAGE IS TO PROVIDE NOTIFICATION OF THE INCREASE IN THE
LIMIT OF THE VALUE OF INFORMAL ENTRIES. THE CURRENT LIMIT OF
$1250 WILL RISE TO $2000, EFFECTIVE JULY 2, 1998. THE FINAL
RULEMAKING ANNOUNCING THIS INCREASE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL
REGISTER ON APRIL 6, 1998. THE CHANGE BECOMES EFFECTIVE 90 DAYS
FROM PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE OF FINAL RULEMAKING.

THE AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL SYSTEM WILL BE MODIFIED TO ACCOMMODATE
THE $2000 VALUE LIMIT FOR INFORMAL ENTRIES AND WILL BE UPDATED
BY JULY 2, 1998.

THIS CHANGE DOES NOT AFFECT ANY ENTRIES WHICH WOULD BE REQUIRED TO
BE A FORMAL ENTRY BY VIRTURE OF THE INCLUSION OF CERTAIN TARIFF
NUMBERS. (THOSE WHICH CANNOT BE ENTERED ON AN INFORMAL ENTRY
REGARDLESS OF VALUE OR FOR WHICH A VALUE ABOVE $250 REQUIRES A
FORMAL ENTRY). FURTHER, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES TO TARIFF RATES
AS A RESULT OF THE INFORMAL ENTRY VALUE LIMIT.

THE DECISION TO RAISE THE INFORMAL ENTRY VALUE WAS BASED ON
SEVERAL FACTORS, INCLUDING RISK, INFLATION, AND WORKLOAD. WE
EXPECT MINIMAL CHANGES TO OCCUR AT THE PORT LEVEL AS A RESULT OF
THE INFORMAL ENTRY VALUE CHANGE. AS SPECIFIC SITUATIONS ARISE,
HOWEVER, STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES WILL BE DEVELOPED TO
ADDRESS THEM.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS MESSAGE SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO LINDA
WALFISH, CHIEF, CARGO CONTROL AT (202) 927-0042.