CUSTOMS SEEKS INDUSTRY INPUT ON PROPOSED AES DRAWBACK MODULE

CUSTOMS SEEKS INDUSTRY INPUT ON PROPOSED AES DRAWBACK MODULE    U.S. Customs is requesting feedback from the industry on a proposed duty drawback module in the Automated Export System.
   The drawback process, a refund of duties paid on imported materials that are later exported or used in the manufacture of exported articles, is extremely paper intensive. Customs wants to begin taking some of the paper out of that process.
   AES was developed several years ago by Customs and the Census Bureau as a way to electronically receive export commodity and transportation data from the industry. Customs uses the data from the system to keep track of goods leaving the country, while Census uses it to compile the country’s trade statistics.
   By using AES, Customs says the savings to the government and drawback industry could be significant. It’s expected to reduce or eliminate paper forms; require less handling and storage of paper documents; create better communication between Customs and the industry; and result in faster, more efficient reviews of drawback data and cargo exams by the agency.
   The AES drawback module first proposes to automate Customs Form 7553 (Notice of Intent to Export or Destroy Merchandise for Purposes of Drawback) and serve as proof of export, which is needed to process drawback claims.
   'Customs’ Office of Field Operations will take comments from the industry through Sept. 29. The full proposal is available on the Internet at https://www.customs.treas.gov/imp-exp2/export/drawbackmodule.htm.