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CBP May Request Additional Textile & Apparel Documentation
January 18, 2007

Reminder:
CBP Ports May Request
Additional Textile and Apparel Documentation
(In Order to Prevent Transshipped Goods
from Entering the U.S.)



U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a notice reminding filers that CBP ports of entry may request importers to submit additional documents on specific shipments of textile and apparel articles in order to ascertain if the goods are being legally entered into the U.S.

CBP explains that the illegal transshipment of textile and apparel articles undermines the administration of the U.S.' bilateral textile agreements and it is CBP's goal to ensure that goods that have been transshipped to circumvent quota and admissibility requirements do not enter U.S. commerce.

Additional Documents May Include Certificate of Origin, Etc.

According to CBP, additional documents may be requested pursuant to 19 CFR 102.23(b)1 (origin and manufacturer identification: incomplete or insufficient information) and 19 CFR 142.3(a)(5) (entry documentation required: other documentation) and may include, but are not limited to, documents required by a foreign government as a condition of release for export, such as a certificate of origin or other documentation that the importer relied upon to make their country of origin claim.

Goods May be Excluded from Entry if Requested Documents Are Not Provided

CBP further explains that if the requested documents are not provided and the lack of such documentation precludes verification of the claimed country of origin or proper resolution of admissibility, the goods may be excluded from entry into the U.S.

19 CFR 102.23(b) reads as follows: \\\"Incomplete or insufficient information. If the port director is unable to determine the country of origin of a textile or apparel product, the importer must submit additional information as requested by the port director. Release of the product from CBP custody will be denied until a determination of the country of origin is made based upon the information provided or the best information available.\\\" CBP sources explain that this regulation was added to the 2007 notice in order to further support CBP's claim that ports of entry could require additional documentation.

CBP Contact – Nancy Mondich (202) 344-2166

CBP notice (TBT-07-001, dated 01/11/07) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/textiles_and_quotas/tbts/tbt2007/tbt_07_001.ctt/tbt_07_001.doc