All Continuous Bond Applications Must be Submitted Directly to RD Effective March 1st

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice stating that as part of the ongoing efforts to centralize all continuous bond processing, effective March 1, 2010, all continuous bond applications (regardless of activity code) should be submitted directly to the Revenue Division for processing.

(CBP recently issued a proposed rule that would update 19 CFR Parts 101, 113, and 133 to reflect the centralization of the continuous bond program at CBP's Revenue Division in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The proposed rule would amend 19 CFR to reflect that continuous bonds must be filed, reviewed and, if approved, maintained at the Revenue Division. In addition, CBP is proposing multiple changes to facilitate the use of electronic submission of continuous bond documentation. Comments are due by March 8, 2010.)

Bonds Should No Longer be Submitted to Port or Drawback Office

As of March 1, 2010, filers should no longer submit activity code 1A, 2, 3, 3A, 3A3, 4, 5, terminal operator, or Importer Security Filing (ISF) continuous bond applications to a port or drawback office.

In addition, all term bonds (including airport customs security area bonds) should be filed directly with and approved by the Revenue Division.

Most Single Transaction Bonds to Continue to be Submitted to Port Office

Most single transaction bonds - other than those specifically associated with Importer ISF or ACE entry summaries - will continue to be submitted to the appropriate port office.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/11/10 news, 10011105, for BP summary on the details of the bond centralization proposed rule.

See ITT's Online Archives or 02/24/10 news, 10022405, for BP summary announcing that CBP is experiencing temporary delays in bond processing times, status inquiries.)

CBP notice (dated 02/26/10) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/priority_trade/revenue/bonds/pilot_program/continuous_bonds.xml