CBP Affirms ‘Open for Business’ during Government Shutdown

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials said during an 11:30 a.m. ET call with the trade today that the agency is currently “open for business” during the government shutdown and the ports of entry are fully staffed and operational to clear cargo and perform other trade-related functions.

CBP said it will continue to send out CSMS notices to the trade as normal. NCBFAA Members, if not already, should subscribe to receive these messages through the CBP website.

Answering a question from NCBFAA Executive Vice President Megan Montgomery regarding CBP's interactions with Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) during the shutdown, CBP stated that its fully operation and could not speak to any other agency involved with trade. However, CBP noted if there are issues involving PGAs, the proper protocol is to contact the local PGA official, then the local port CBP official, and lastly CBP's email at tradeevents@cbp.dhs.gov.

CBP officials also confirmed during the Q&A with the trade that:

No impact on CBP Permit and Corporate Permit Payments.
Customs Broker’s License Exam – CBP hopes to have the CBLE as scheduled, and if that changes the agency will notify the trade.
ITC – CBP will check if HTS will be updated during the shutdown.
Permits will be processed as normal.
COLA Waiver applications – TTB Is furloughed, although CBP will verify.
Refunds will be processed but questions remain whether the Treasury Department will issue the refunds.
CBP OR&R will be operational.
CBP has “toolbox” to handle PGA holds – Conditional Release and or contacting the Agency directly to release cargo and get it into the U.S.
ACE Support is still available to trade.
Does not impact CBP Ag, although CBP cannot speak to other agency furlough plans, such as USDA, but said to check the PGA webpages for shutdown protocols.
For overtime, CBP Office of Trade (OT) is authorized but check with CBP at the local port.
CBP trade webinars may be paused during shutdown.
FTZ and Bonded Warehouses – requests for activation processed as they normally would be.
CBP FP&F/Revenue divisions will continue as normal and any change will be communicated to the trade.
AGOA is currently expired. CBP does not allow retroactive quota or visa processing under any circumstances.
Trade Remedy Branch, Trade Remedy email inbox, and EAPA will continue as normal.

In addition, CBP officials said the agency will continue to provide import entry guidance as it relates to tariff-oriented Executive Orders from the White House throughout the duration of the government shutdown, adding that recently announced the entry process for tariffs related to lumber and furniture imports will be ready by Oct. 14.

Further questions from the trade may be emailed to CBP at tradeevents@cbp.dhs.gov.

At the end of the call, CBP reiterated that it is open for business, and all staff across the agency are at work today. In the event of a prolonged shutdown and if CBP has to make staffing adjustments, it will hold another public call with the trade.

Meanwhile, NCBFAA Members can stay up to date on CBP and PGA operations during the U.S. Government shutdown at this special webpage.

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