How to Import into the US

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Robert C. Bonner and the government of Argentina announced the port of Buenos Aires as the 41st operational Container Security Initiative (CSI) port to target and pre-screen maritime cargo containers destined for U.S. ports. U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Lino Gutierrez and Dr. Alberto R. Abad, Federal Administrator of National Revenue of the Argentine Republic, signed the declaration of principles on May 9, 2005.

“The Container Security Initiative is a deterrent to terrorists seeking to use containerized cargo as a conduit for terrorism within the maritime environment. Having CSI ports, such as the one in Buenos Aires, is making U.S. borders more secure and more efficient,” said Commissioner Bonner. “CSI is a way of addressing the threat to global trade making it more secure against terrorist exploitation and Argentina was the first South American country to agree to participate in CSI. CBP will continue to cast out the CSI security blanket to additional foreign ports.”

CBP will deploy a team of officers to be stationed at the port of Buenos Aires to target maritime containers destined for the United States. Argentine Customs officials, working with CBP officers, will be responsible for screening any containers identified as a potential terrorist risk.

Currently, there are 41 operational CSI ports in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and North and South America. Approximately 75 percent of cargo containers headed to the U.S. originate in or are transshipped from CSI ports.

Under the Container Security Initiative, CBP has entered into bilateral partnerships to identify high-risk cargo containers before they are loaded on vessels destined for the United States. Today, a total of 25 administrations have committed to join CSI and are at various stages of implementation.

“When first initiated, CSI was a revolutionary idea – to engage foreign governments to work with us to extend the U.S. zone to security outward, so that our borders are not the first line of defense against the threat of terrorism, and to secure and protect trade lanes from foreign seaports to the U.S.,” Commissioner Bonner said. “Now CSI is an accepted model of international cooperation to protect the global supply chain against terrorism.”

CBP’s goal is to have 50 operational CSI ports by the end of 2006. At that time, approximately 90 percent of all transatlantic and transpacific cargo imported into the United States will be subjected to pre-screening.

CSI will continue to expand to strategic locations around the world. The World Customs Organization (WCO), the European Union (EU), and the G8 support CSI expansion and have adopted resolutions implementing CSI security measures introduced at ports throughout the world.

Imported goods may not legally enter U.S. commerce until the shipment has arrived within the port of entry and Customs has authorized delivery of the merchandise. This is normally accomplished by filing the appropriate documents, either by the importer or by the importer’s agent. To expedite this process, Customs entry papers may be presented before the merchandise arrives, but entry will not take place until the merchandise arrives within the port limits.

The Customs Service does not notify the importer of the arrival of the shipment. The carrier of the goods usually makes notification of arrival. Arrangements should be made to ensure that the importer or their agent is informed immediately of arrival so that the entry can be filed and delays in obtaining the goods avoided.

The Customs Service defines “entry” not merely as the arrival of goods at a port, but as the process of presenting documentation for clearing goods through Customs. Imported merchandise not entered through Customs in a timely manner (within 15 calendar days of arrival) is sent by Customs to a general order warehouse to be held as unclaimed. The importer is responsible for paying storage charges while unclaimed merchandise is held at the warehouse. If it remains unclaimed at the end of six months, the merchandise is sold at auction.

Some type of Customs entry must be made at the first port of arrival. Ordinarily entry is made there for consumption, for entry into a bonded warehouse, or for transportation in bond to another port where a consumption or warehouse entry will be made. If an importer is unable to be there to prepare and file the entry, commercial brokers, known as customs brokers and licensed by the Customs Service, may act as an agent for the importer. These brokers charge a fee for their services. A list of customs brokers may be obtained from the local Customs office or found in the yellow pages of the local telephone directory.

In the case of a single noncommercial shipment, a relative or other individual may act as the importer’s agent for customs purposes. This person must know the facts pertaining to the shipment and must be authorized in writing to act for the importer.

The law prohibits Customs employees from performing these tasks for the importing public. However, they will advise and give information to importers about Customs requirements.