U.S. CUSTOMS GIVES BROKERS EXTENSION TO FILE NATIONAL PERMIT NUMBERS

U.S. CUSTOMS GIVES BROKERS EXTENSION TO FILE NATIONAL PERMIT NUMBERS

   U.S. Customs has granted customs brokers in the remote location filing prototype a month extension to submit their national permit numbers to the agency.

   The original deadline to submit national permit numbers to Customs was set for Nov. 6. Due to the anthrax attacks on the postal system, Customs extended the deadline to Dec. 6.

   Remote location filing allows brokers in the National Customs Automation Program to electronically file formal and informal import entries with Customs from a remote location within the United States other than the port of arrival. The second version of the prototype started on Jan. 1, 1997.

   One of the changes to the remote location filing prototype occurred on July 6 when Customs began to require brokers to provide “proof” of a national permit by no later than Nov. 6.

   Customs said the failure to submit this proof by the new Dec. 6th deadline will result in the “automatic suspension” of the broker’s eligibility to participate in the prototype.