The Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is reminding importers, brokers, and filers that beginning Jan. 25, 2021, they will have to submit an APHIS core message set in the Automated Commercial Environment when they file entries for APHIS-regulated plants, plant products, animal products, or live dogs (but not other live animal imports).
Once this change is made, APHIS will apply HTSUS flags to alert importers and brokers using ACE to submit electronic customs entries as to whether APHIS import data is or may be required for specified goods. When such a flag is received, importers or brokers using ACE will have to enter the required data to complete their entry in the system. APHIS notes that this will not change what import data is required, only the format in which it is submitted.
In addition, importers and brokers will continue to be responsible for knowing what to file regardless of whether a specific item is flagged in ACE. The APHIS core message set does not allow for de minimis exceptions, APHIS has said, and importers and brokers must submit required data for APHIS-regulated products regardless of the size or value of the shipment.
However, APHIS notes that the primary means of enforcing this requirement will be to hold shipments pending corrections and that it intends to give brokers every opportunity to submit correct information. However, failure to update after a review and request for correction can result in an emergency action notification.
More details on the APHIS core message set can be found here.
Copyright © 2024 Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A.; WorldTrade Interactive, Inc. All rights reserved.