3550-017B Procedures for Requests from the Trade for Official Certification of Documents by CBP

Published CBP guidance; operative status and applicability must be assessed from the retained publisher edition.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP DIRECTIVE NO. 3550-017B DATE: January 22, 2009___________
ORIGINATING OFFICE: FO: CCS
SUPERSEDES: 3550-017A, 1/5/00
REVIEW DATE: January 2012

SUBJECT: PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTS FROM THE TRADE FOR OFFICIAL
CERTIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS BY CUSTOMS AND BORDER
PROTECTION (CBP)

1 PURPOSE. To define and set forth procedures to ensure that all CBP offices
that process requests from the trade for official certificates of disposition of imported
merchandise do so in a uniform manner and at a fee commensurate with the actual
cost of the service rendered as required by 19 CFR 24.12(a)(2).

2 POLICY.

2.1 As a service to the trade community, CBP has routinely issued official
certificates such as certificates of landing and disposition of merchandise arriving in the
U.S. from a foreign country. These certificates provide official acknowledgment that
certain merchandise was landed in the U.S. from a foreign country and provides
information to the requesting party, usually the shipper, as to the disposition of the
merchandise. The information may be required to satisfy the exporter's bond, obtain
drawback from a foreign government, resolve disputes with the carrier over loss or
damage to the merchandise, or may be required by a foreign government for statistical
purposes.

2.2 CBP will assess and collect a fee commensurate with the actual cost of the
service rendered for the retrieval of the requested documents, furnishing an official
certification, and for photocopying. This fee will only be charged if the request for
official certification of disposition of imported merchandise is made after the entry
summary documentation has been filed with CBP.

3 AUTHORITIES/REFERENCES. 19 CFR 24.12(a)(2), Treasury Decision 85-168.

4 RESPONSIBILITIES.

4.1 Directors, Field Operations, are responsible for ensuring that the provisions of
this Directive are carried out effectively and uniformly throughout their areas of
responsibility.

4.2 Port Directors are responsible for ensuring that the provisions of this Directive
are followed and uniformly applied. They are also responsible for the dissemination of
the contents of this Directive to personnel within their jurisdiction.

5 PROCEDURES.

5.1 AUTHORIZED FORMS.

5.1.1 All CBP officers designated to issue official certificates of disposition of
imported merchandise may do so by certifying a completed CBP Form 3227 (Certificate
of Disposition of Imported Merchandise), a Department of Commerce Form 647P
(Delivery Verification Certificate), or an annotated copy of the inward foreign manifest,
prepared by the requesting party.

5.1.2 When the manifest copy method is used, only the page which lists the
merchandise to be certified is required. The annotation on the manifest must show the
type of entry and entry number, and a further explanation as to the disposition of the
merchandise. The annotation will appear on the face of the manifest copy as follows,
and only the pertinent items need be shown by the requesting party:

1. Released from CBP under consumption entry number _____;

2. Transferred to bonded warehouse under warehouse entry number _____;

3. Transferred to General Order (G.O.) (No entry completed)

4. Transferred to foreign-trade zone;

5. In transit to __________ under I.T. entry number______;

6. In transit to _______ for exportation to ________ under T. & E. number ____;

7. Exported to __________ under I.E. entry number _____;

8. Other disposition ____________________________________________
(T.I.B. entry, Carnet, exhibition, trade fair, etc.)

5.1.3 If requested, certificates of disposition of imported merchandise will be issued for
less than the full quantity of a specified shipment. When the annotated manifest copy
method is being used, the partial quantity to be certified should be clearly indicated by
wording such as "Two of Four Cases Only".

5.1.4 When using consolidated manifest copies, all shipments which are listed
on the manifest other than those for which certification is being requested shall
be crossed out by the requesting party.

5.1.5 Requests to certify the official disposition of merchandise on a CBP Form 7501
(Entry Summary) will be allowed. This is not to be confused with a request for a copy of
a CBP Form 7501 or a copy of a manifest for purposes other than to certify official
disposition of imported merchandise (i.e., to replace a lost CBP Form 7501, to construct
an entry summary package, etc.). Requests for a copy of a manifest or CBP Form
7501 for purposes other than to certify official disposition of imported merchandise
should be considered Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and these requests
should be handled in accordance with 19 CFR 103.

5.2 CERTIFICATION.

5.2.1 The actual certification of disposition of imported merchandise shall
consist of the signature of a designated CBP officer, the date signed, and the
official DHS/CBP seal.

5.3 FEE SCHEDULE.

5.3.1 No fee will be charged for furnishing an official certificate if the request is
made to CBP at the time the entry documents are filed or at the time the entry
summary is filed.

5.3.2 Requests for an official certificate made to CBP after the entry summary is
filed will be assessed a fee as indicated in 19 CFR 24.12 (a) (2). The current fee
is “$10.00 for each hour or fraction thereof for time spent by each clerical,
professional or supervisor in finding the documents and furnishing an official
certification if the request is made after the entry documents are filed, plus a
charge of 15 cents per page for photocopying. The fee may be revised
periodically by publication of a general notice in the Federal Register and CBP
Bulletin setting forth the revised fee. The published revised fee shall remain in
effect until changed.”

5.3.3 The fee must be paid before release of a certification or release of the
copies of documentation requested.

/s/
Assistant Commissioner
Office of Field Operations