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To all our valued customers:
Please take a moment to review some of your responsibilities as an Importer / Exporter of the United States:
1. Insure all import and export shipping documents are properly completed and archived for the required 5 years
2. Verify import invoices contain accurate and complete information per 19CFR 141 Subpart F-Invoices. We recommend that product descriptions be listed on invoice in sufficient detail so that CBP may determine that the correct classification has been assigned. This helps reduce the possibility of CBP verifications or requests for information CF 28’s.
3. Valid NAFTA Certificates of Origin must be on file. As a reminder, NAFTA Certificates are valid for only one (1) year and must be provided to the importer of record at the time of importation of a NAFTA claimed product. Please check your certificates to insure that they are still valid. If you are not sure if your product qualifies for NAFTA, please request a NAFTA study. Our qualified personnel may be able to assist you.
4. Verify the existence and review updated “Bill of Materials” for changes of your NAFTA studies to substantiate your NAFTA preferential claim.
5. If you declare merchandise as made in the U.S.A., such as “American Products Returned” 9801 or import under the 9802 HTS provision, you must have evidence of origin from the producers of those imported products. Generally, an affida¬vit from the producer will suffice. CBP periodically requests evidence during or after the importation.
6. Products must be properly marked per 19CFR 134 with the Country of Origin or have waivers on file with CBP.
7. All wooden pallets and wooden packaging materials must be certified/stamped per Wood Packaging Material Initiative. USDA may reject a whole shipment or impose monetary penalties for a single pallet not bearing the fumigation stamp.
8. Use real/transaction values on your commercial invoice, if you are not able to declare real/transaction values please contact our import department to assist you.
9. FDA Regulated shipments require accurate information pertaining to the food or medical industry, such as FDA regis¬tration numbers, medical device listing numbers, 510K, etc.
We encourage all importers and foreign manufacturers to subscribe to the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program which secure the international trade supply chain.
It is of the utmost importance that you notify us of any changes within your company or if there are issues that are of con¬cern to you, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please keep in mind that under the Mod Act, responsibility for classifica¬tion, valuation, rate of duty, and record keeping has been transferred from Customs to the Importer and you are now subject to fines and penalties for non compliance. Therefore, please inform us of any changes of value, composition or discrepan¬cies you come across.
CBP has published a “Reasonable Care Checklist” to help in the understanding of what is expected from you, the Importer. It is available at: http://www.cbp.gov/ImageCache/cgov/content/laws/informed_5fcompliance_5fregs/icp021_2epdf/v1/ icp021.pdf
Regarding U.S. Department of Commerce exports, we are required to obtain a properly executed Power of Attorney from the exporter for shipments valued at $2,500.00 U.S. dollars or more. Please keep this in mind when sourcing merchandise from various vendors in the U.S. to Mexico if not cleared as a Routed Transaction. Also, be aware that other government agencies and regulations such as BIS or ITAR may require a license for exports if merchandise is of dual use, will be used for military purposes, or will be sent to prohibited countries.
If you need assistance getting onto the website or have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at cus-tomerserviceclx@rljones.com. We appreciate your business and the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely,
Hector Gracia