CBP Modifies Test of Informal Entry for Mail Shipments

Effective Oct. 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is modifying its test of a new electronic informal entry type for merchandise entering the U.S. through the international mail process to permit transmission of the entry with or without electronic partner government agency data.

On Sept. 22 CBP began a test of entry type 13, a new electronic informal entry process for shipments valued at $2,500 or less, including those that would previously have been eligible for the de minimis duty exemption, that are sent to the U.S. through the international postal network. This test creates an informal entry pathway for low-value international mail shipments subject to PGA data requirements or duties other than those set forth in HTSUS Chapters 1-97 (which are ineligible for the interim process for informal mail entries).

CBP states that test participants with shipments subject to PGA data requirements may transmit PGA data electronically in ACE with their entry type 13 filing. However, CBP is modifying the test to also temporarily accept transmission of an entry type 13 that is not accompanied by complete electronic PGA data. CBP states that this will allow filers to begin using entry type 13 while they work to ensure that they can electronically submit all of the data required for complete PGA submissions.