CSMS Message: 98-000787

FOR DRAWBACK CLAIMS OR CM'S WITH IMPORT ENTRIES DATED PRIOR TO JANUARY,
1996, WE SUGGEST THAT YOU LIMIT THE TARIFF NUMBER INPUT TO THE 6 DIGIT
LEVEL UNLESS THE PETROLEUM INDICATOR IS USED, IN WHICH CASE TARIFF INPUT
SHOULD BE LIMITED TO 8 DIGITS. THIS APPLIES TO CLAIMS FILED IN ANY
MANNER, WHETHER ABI, DISKETTE, OR MANUAL.

THE DRAWBACK PROGRAMS SHARE THE TARIFF AND SCHEDULE B DATABASE WITH THE
AUTOMATED EXPORT SYSTEM (AES). THIS DATABASE MAY NOT CONTAIN THE FULL
HISTORIC TARIFF DATA PRIOR TO 1996, SINCE IT WAS INTENDED TO BE USED FROM
THAT DATE FORWARD. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED CASES WHERE TARIFF NUMBERS AT THE
FULL 10-DIGIT LEVEL HAVE REJECTED ON CLAIMS EVEN THOUGH THOSE TARIFFS
WERE VALID AT THE TIME THE IMPORTS WERE FILED BEFORE 1996.

THE ABOVE CHANGE WILL MINIMIZE THE CHANCE OF SUCH A REJECTION SINCE WE
BELIEVE THAT ALL DATA WILL BE THERE AT THE 6 DIGIT LEVEL.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALTHOUGH TARIFF NUMBERS ARE ONLY REQUIRED IF ANY IMPORT
ENTRY USED ON A CLAIM OR CM HAS A DATE OF ENTRY ON OR AFTER APRIL 6,
1998, WE WILL ACCEPT AND VALIDATE ANY TARIFF NUMBERS GIVEN EVEN IF THE
IMPORTS ARE PRIOR TO THAT DATE.

ANY QUESTIONS MAY BE DIRECTED TO YOUR LOCAL DRAWBACK OFFICE, OR TO JIM
HALPIN AT 703-921-7128.