CBP sets date for mandatory electronic in-bond filings

   All in-bond exports, arrivals and diversions must be filed electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) starting July 29, Customs and Border Protection announced Tuesday.
   This mandate effectively eliminates any lingering paper copies of the Customs Form 7512 used for in-bond arrivals and exports.
   “An ACE edit will issue a rejection if these actions are not performed,” the agency said in a message to the trade community.
  In-bond shipments are imported merchandise allowed under bond to move within U.S. borders without paying taxes and duties. Often this cargo is held in bonded warehouses or a foreign trade zone (FTZ) until it’s cleared through CBP or reexported to another country.
   There are three types of in-bond transportation entries: immediate transportation (IT), transportation and exportation (T&E) and immediate exportation (IE).
   However, CBP said air shipments remain exempt from the requirements, with the trade permitted to seek manual postings by CBP for this cargo.
   In addition, CBP has not set a date to implement the in-bond regulation provision requiring the six-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule number for IT in-bond entries.  
   CBP has been working to automate the in-bond process since the mid-1990s and conducted a pilot program in the early 2000s. Congressional lawmakers and the Government Accountability Office have pressured the agency in recent years to gain better oversight of this important tool for U.S. trade.
   The agency pointed to its automated in-bond processing business process document as the official publication to providing both CBP officers and the trade with guidance, requirements and responsibilities when processing in-bond cargo. Questions regarding the new automated in-bond process also may be emailed to CBP at cscwarehousing@cbp.dhs.gov.