U.S. CUSTOMS SETS GUIDELINES FOR IMPOSING AND MITIGATING PENALTIES

U.S. CUSTOMS SETS GUIDELINES FOR IMPOSING AND MITIGATING PENALTIES

   U.S. Customs will publish its new guidelines for imposing and mitigating penalties on Friday in the Federal Register.

   The changes were made to Appendix B of Part 171, section 592 of the agency’s regulations governing entry or attempted entry of merchandise into U.S. commerce by fraud, gross negligence or negligence.

   The agency says the changes reflect the themes of “informed compliance” and “shared responsibility,” which are stipulated in the 1993 Customs Modernization Act. Customs started revising its penalty rules in 1998.

   The new rules spell out when Customs will take action on entry mistakes made by importers and their customs brokers. For example, Customs will not issue penalties for repetitive unintentional, non-detrimental errors in electronic entry submissions, unless the agency has previously pointed out the error to the filer.

   The complete new guidelines are available on the Internet at http://www.customs.treas.gov/news/fed-reg/notices/914507.htm .