CBP Automated Forms Streamline Review Process

(US Customs and Border Protection Agency)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection will automate versions of CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647, “Request for Information,” “Notice of Action” and “Demand for Redelivery,” respectively, beginning in spring 2009. The new paperless process will allow importers with an Automated Commercial Environment Secure Data Portal account to interact faster and more efficiently with an import specialist to ensure goods are properly classified on the entry summary.

Automating forms saves time

Automating CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647, the most commonly used CBP forms, will reduce the time and effort of import specialists to provide notification to a filer or request more documentation for roughly 260,000 entry summaries each year – five percent of entry summaries filed. The new automated forms capability is part of entry summary, accounts and revenue initial entry summary types capabilities, to be deployed beginning in spring 2009. These capabilities will enable consumption and informal entry processing, entry types 01 and 11, respectively, to be processed in ACE, the agency’s new commercial trade processing system.

Streamlining procedures ensures efficiency>

… Automating CBP Forms 28, 29 and 4647 facilitates CBP’s goal of streamlining the team review process. During team review, an import specialist uses these forms to interact with filers to ensure imported goods are recorded correctly, modify incorrect classification values or determine if the import complies with U.S. trademark regulations.


Providing additional documentation is easier electronically

Currently, import specialists examine the entry summary for potential inaccuracies, and if more documentation or action is required, paper forms are delivered to importers. Importers or their brokers return the requested information through a mail carrier service, prolonging the time it takes CBP to receive this information and making it difficult for filers to confirm that the information was received by CBP.

With the new automated forms capability, import specialists will be able to send an electronic request for information to importers that have established ACE Secure Data Portal accounts. Importers will have the option of attaching an electronic file containing supplemental materials and using the ACE portal to track the status of their submissions, ensuring CBP has received the requested documentation. Read more here.