No Imminent Plans to Extend Duty Deferrals, CBP Says

CBP is not currently planning to extend the 90-day customs duty deferral option beyond April, a CBP official said during an April 30 conference call. CBP lacks the authority to grant additional days for payment of duties, taxes and fees and the agency hasn't received instructions from the White House to indicate an extension of the program, she said. President Donald Trump authorized the Treasury Department to defer collections of customs duties during the COVID-19 national emergency (see 2004200024)

While the Executive Order authorizing the deferral doesn't mention a time frame, Treasury and CBP limited the program to March and April entries. In response to a question about whether CBP would reject May entries that try to use the 90-day deferral, another CBP official said no, but if the payments are made 90 days later, they would be considered late and subject to liquidated damages. Treasury didn't comment.