CBP Advises Trade on Future ABI System Requirements for Filing Singapore FTA Claims

(Such SFTA claims must currently be filed non-ABI.)

CBP states that the Automated Commercial System (ACS) is in the process of being programmed to accept SFTA claims. (Sources opine that such programming may not be in place until late March/early April 2004.) CBP further states that once this programming is completed, it will advise the trade when they will be able to file SFTA claims through ABI.

According to CBP, the following ABI system requirements must be met (once ACS programming is completed and the opportunity to file through ABI is announced):

country of origin. The country of origin must be 'SG.'

country of export. The country of export must be 'SG,' except for the tariff preference level (TPL) tariff numbers in HTS 9910.61 for certain cotton or MMF apparel made from third country yarn or fabric, which do not require the country of export to be 'SG.'

HTS number must have Special subcolumn symbol 'SG.' The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number(s) associated with the SFTA claim must have the Special subcolumn symbol 'SG.' (CBP notes that HTS numbers with the Special subcolumn symbol 'SG' may either have a free or reduced 'SG' duty rate.)

SPI 'SG' must be transmitted. The Special Program Indicator (SPI) of 'SG' must be transmitted.

Merchandise Processing Fee edits. SFTA claims for merchandise considered to be originating goods will be exempt from the merchandise processing fee (MPF). SFTA claims associated with the SFTA TPLs in HTS 9910.61 will require the MPF.

In addition, CBP states that an HTS number that has a "free" column 1 general rate of duty does not have SPIs. However, if the merchandise associated with these duty free HTS numbers qualifies under the SFTA originating provisions, CBP states that the MPF exemption can be made by transmitting the SPI 'SG.'

TRQs and TPLs. HTS 9910.02 - 9910.52 are for the SFTA agricultural tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) and HTS 9910.61 is for the SFTA TPL.

Certification Number Requirement for TPL. CBP states that there is a certification number requirement for the SFTA TPL in HTS 9910.61.

The SFTA requires that a SFTA TPL Certification Number (certification number) issued by the government of Singapore be electronically transmitted for TPL claims (HTS 9910.61.01 - 9910.61.89).

The certification number should be entered in the entry summary (EI) 52 Record (Input) in the Miscellaneous Permit/License field.

The government of Singapore has indicated that the certification number will be in a 9 alpha/numeric format. The first position will be numeric, the second and third positions 'SG', the fourth position will be a numeric 1 or 3, and the balance will be numeric.

CBP states that the certification number will be optional for warehouse entry types (21 or 22) and TIB entry type (23). In addition, the certification number should be displayed in Block 34 of the CF 7501, next to the visa number field.

No Change to Current Visa Requirements. CBP states that the SFTA made no changes to the current visa requirements for certain Singapore textiles and apparel, and that merchandise currently subject to such a visa requirement, will remain subject to that visa requirement.

Situations Where Both Visa and TPL Certification Number Required. CBP states that there will be situations where both a visa and a certification number will be required. The visa number should be submitted in the visa field in the 51 Record and the certification number should be submitted in the Miscellaneous Permit/License Number field in the 52 record.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/06/04 news, 04010605 for BP summary on proclamation implementing SFTA. See ITT's Online Archives or 01/06/04 news, 04010610 for BP summary of CBP's notices on the SFTA TPL.)

ABI administrative message (Adm: 04-0071, dated 01/14/04) available via email or fax by emailing staff@brokerpower.com.