CBP to Launch Advance Data Collection Program for Section 321 Low-Value Imports

2019-07-23T19:37:23+00:00July 23rd, 2019|Customs, E-Commerce, Import|

Starting August 22, 2019, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will launch a voluntary program to begin advanced shipment data collection on imports of Section 321 goods in order to effectively identify and target high-risk shipments entering via the e-commerce environment.

“CBP faces significant challenges in targeting Section 321 shipments, while still maintaining the clearance speeds the private sector has come to expect. This is because CBP does not receive adequate advance information in order to effectively and efficiently assess the security risk of the approximately 1.8 million Section 321 shipments that arrive each day.”

Imports falling under Section 321 of the Tariff Act of 1930 notoriously receive an exemption from duty and taxes for shipments of merchandise imported by one person on one day and have an aggregate fair retail value in the country of shipment of not more than $800 (not including bona-fide gifts and certain personal and household goods).

CBP is seeking to collect, in advance, information for these low-value shipments in order to identify the entity causing the cargo to cross the border, the final recipient, and the contents of the package allowing for more effective targeting for high-risk e-commerce freight.

Under this new, voluntary Section 321 Data Pilot program, different entities within the supply chain will be responsible for providing additional information, in exchange for expedited Section 321 clearances for consistent, compliant shipments.

ALL PARTICIPANTS

All participants, regardless of filer type, must electronically transmit the following elements:

  • Originator Code of the Participant (assigned by CBP)
  • Participant Filer Type
    • (ex. carrier or online marketplace)
  • One or more of the following:
    • Shipment Tracking Number
    • House Bill Number
    • Master Bill Number
    • Mode of Transportation
      • (ex. air, truck, or rail)

PARTICIPATING CARRIERS

In addition to the data elements listed above, participating carriers must also electronically transmit the following data elements:

  • Shipment Initiator Name and Address
    • the entity that causes the movement of a shipment, which may be a seller, shipper, or manufacturer, but not a foreign consolidator
  • Final Deliver to Party Name and Address
    • the final entity to receive the shipment once it arrives in the United States, which may be a final purchaser or a warehouse, but not a domestic de-consolidator
  • Enhanced Product Description
    • a description of a product shipped to the United States more detailed than the description on the manifest, which should, if applicable, reflect the advertised retail description of the product as listed on an online marketplace
  • Shipment Security Scan (air carriers only)
    • verification that a foreign security scan for the shipment has been completed such as an x-ray image or other security screening report
  • Known Carrier Customer Flag
    • an indicator that identifies a shipper as a repeat customer that has consistently paid all required fees and does not have any known trade violations

PARTICIPATING ONLINE MARKETPLACES

In addition to the data elements listed above in paragraph 1, participating online marketplaces must electronically submit the following data elements:

  • Seller Name and Address
    • an international or domestic company that sells products on marketplaces and other websites
  • Shipment Initiator Name and Address (if applicable)
  • Final Deliver to Party Name and Address
  • Known Marketplace Seller Flag
    • an indicator provided by a marketplace that identifies a seller as an entityvetted by the marketplace and has no known trade violations
  • Marketplace Seller Account Number/Seller ID
    the unique identifier a marketplace assigns to sellers
  • Buyer Name and Address, if applicable
    • the purchaser of a good from an online marketplace. This entity is not always the same as the final deliver to party
  • Product Picture
    • picture of the product presented on an online marketplace
  • Link to Product Listing
    • an active and direct link to the listing of a specific product on an online marketplace, or
  • Enhanced Product Description
  • Listed Price on Marketplace
    • the retail price of a product that a seller lists while advertising on an online marketplace. For auction marketplaces, this price is the price of final sale.

NOTE: Different entities may transmit different data elements for the same shipment.

The Section 321 Data Pilot program will begin on August 22, 2019 lasting for the duration of approximately one year and applies to each Section 321 shipment destined for the United States, arriving by air, truck, or rail, for which the selected participants have information.

EXCLUSIONS

The pilot does not apply to any mail shipments covered by 19 CFR part 145, shipments arriving by ocean, or shipments destined for a Foreign Trade Zone.

Interested in participating? Contact Green, or submit an email to [email protected], stating your interest and qualifications based on the eligibility requirements.

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