CSMS Message: 98-001193

TO : ALL ABI BROKERS.

FROM : CARLA ZZ-DONOFRIO

SUBJECT : MID CLARIFICATION

DATE : 12/14/1998

DECEMBER 14, 1998

SPE-2-FO:TC:I:E CDD

TO : ALL PORT DIRECTORS, CUSTOMS MANAGEMENT CENTER
(CMC) DIRECTORS AND STRATEGIC TRADE CENTER (STC)
DIRECTORS

FROM : DIRECTOR, TRADE COMPLIANCE

PASS TO : ALL IMPORT SPECIALISTS NATIONAL IMPORT SPECIALISTS,
ENTRY OFFICERS, INSPECTORS, INTERNATIONAL TRADE
SPECIALISTS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES

SUBJECT: TBT-98-090 CLARIFICATION OF MANUFACTURE
IDENTIFICATION CODES (MID)

BACKGROUND:

BASED ON CUSTOMS DIRECTIVE (CD) 3550-061, BROKERS OFTEN
TRANSMIT THE FOREIGN INVOICING PARTY AS THE MANUFACTURERS
IDENTIFICATION CODE (MID). CD 3550-061 STATES THAT "....THE
MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE CONSTRUED TO REFER TO THE INVOICING
PARTY OR PARTIES (MANUFACTURERS OR OTHER DIRECT SUPPLIERS)."
IN MOST INSTANCES, THE FOREIGN INVOICING PARTY IS OFTEN THE
TRADING PARTNER OR THE PARENT COMPANY OF THE ACTUAL
MANUFACTURER. IN THESE CASES, SINCE THE NAME OF THE TRADING
PARTNER OR THE PARENT COMPANY OF THE ACTUAL MANUFACTURER IS
BEING USED TO CONSTRUCT THE MID INSTEAD OF THE ACTUAL
MANUFACTURER, SHIPMENTS OF TEXTILES AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS
HAVE BEEN UNNECESSARILY DETAINED BY THE PORTS IN ORDER TO
VERIFY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

ACTION:

FOR TEXTILES AND TEXTILE PRODUCTS, THE MID CODE SHOULD BE
CONSTRUED TO REFER TO THE ACTUAL MANUFACTURER OF THE GOODS
COVERED IN THE INSTANT SHIPMENT. THAT IS, THE NAME OF THE
COMPANY ACTUALLY INVOLVED IN THE MANUFACTURING-(ORIGIN
CONFERRING) PROCESS OF THE TEXTILE PRODUCT. THEREFORE, IN
ORDER TO FACILITATE THE RELEASE OF MERCHANDISE
EXPEDITIOUSLY, IT IS BOTH APPROPRIATE AND ENCOURAGED TO USE
THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ACTUAL MANUFACTURER TO CONSTRUCT
THE MID.

INFORMATION:

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS TELEX, PLEASE
CONTACT CARLA D'ONOFRIO AT (202)927-0424, BOB DORSETT (202)
927-7002, OR JUNE PERGOLA AT (202) 927-0705.

1PHILIP METZGER