CBP Updates its Information on the Importer Self-Assessment Program
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has updated certain information posted to its Web page on the Importer Self-Assessment (ISA) program in order to make minor editorial changes to various documents as well as changes to the ISA web site to make it less cluttered.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
Timely, relevant coverage of court proceedings and agency rulings involving tariffs, classification, valuation, origin and antidumping and countervailing duties. Each day, Trade Law Daily subscribers receive a daily headline email, in-depth PDF edition and access to all relevant documents via our trade law source document library and website.
According to CBP, the ISA program is a voluntary trade facilitation partnership between CBP and importers, which allows interested importers to assess their own compliance with Customs laws and regulations.
CBP states that once an importer volunteers for and is accepted into the ISA program, that importer becomes eligible for various benefits, including (partial list): exemption from comprehensive compliance audits, consideration of an importer's participation in ISA in the disposition of cases involving civil penalties or liquidated damages, coverage of multiple business units, etc.
62 importers currently participating in ISA program, 6-8 expected to be added monthly. According to CBP sources, there are currently 62 importers participating in the ISA program and CBP expects to add approximately 6-8 new participants each month.
CBP continues to work on developing industry ISA programs. CBP sources also state that they are continuing to work on the development of industry ISA programs. (In 2003, CBP reached agreement with the American Petroleum Institute (API) to create an ISA program for the petroleum industry. See ITT's Online Archives or 05/19/03 news, 03051905, for BP summary.)
ISA Handbook, Annual Notification Requirements, Guidance, Etc.
CBP's ISA program Web page contains the following updated documents:
Overview of changes(updated April 7, 2005) - This Message from the ISA Director states that CBP has made some minor editorial changes to some of the documents on CBP's ISA Web page, such as the Handbook, Questionnaire, Memorandum of Understanding, Annual Notification Letter, and Internal Controls to correct some typos and ensure uniformity across all documents. In addition, CBP states that it has made some changes to its Web page to make it a little less cluttered.
ISA Handbook (revised April 2005) - This Handbook contains an introduction to the ISA program, as well as chapters regarding program description and requirements; application, processing, and acceptance; procedures and acceptance; revocation procedures; and various appendices.
Annual notification requirements (updated April 7, 2005) - These instructions are for preparing the ISA Annual Notification Letter (ANL). The purpose of the ANL is to ensure that the participant continues to meet the requirement of the ISA program and inform CBP of any business modifications that have an impact on their customs operations. The ISA participant must submit a written ANL to the ISA Director (and a copy to the Account Manager) within 30 business days after the anniversary date of its acceptance into the ISA program.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (updated April 7, 2005) - This MOU is submitted by a company requesting participation in the ISA program. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of the importer and CBP.
Guidance on internal controls for ISA (updated April 7, 2005) - CBP provides this guidance to assist a company in developing adequate internal controls and provides information on the components that should be contained in systems of internal controls.
CBP's ISA program documents available at
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/regulatory_audit_program/importer_self_assessment/.