U.S. CUSTOMS MAKES CHANGES TO RECONCILIATION PROTOTYPE

U.S. CUSTOMS MAKES CHANGES TO RECONCILIATION PROTOTYPE

   U.S. Customs has implemented several changes to its Automated Commercial System Reconciliation prototype to make the system more efficient for the agency and import entry filers.

   Reconciliation is the process through which importers identify undeterminable information at the time an entry summary is filed to Customs so that the missing data can be supplied later. The importer identifies the outstanding information by an electronic “flag.” Some of these flagged entry summaries include value and classification issues.

   Changes to the prototype include a reduction in the data required for “no-change” aggregate reconciliation entries, a new “fee-for-service” procedure for requesting reports of flagged entries, a modification of the liquidated damages provision, and new diskette labeling procedure. The agency also plans for continued use of the midpoint interest calculation for aggregate reconciliation.

   The reconciliation prototype was created by Customs on Oct. 1, 1998, and was indefinitely extended on Oct. 1, 2000. For more information about the changes, access the Federal Register at http://frwebgate3.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate.cgi?WAISdocID=0868915323+118+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve.