The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America is urging CBP to "embrace" electronic data submission methods instead of proposing to modify paper-based Form 7501 to allow for situations where there are multiple countries of melt and pour or smelt and cast.
Opting to focus on electronic data submission methods instead of modifying Form 7501 aligns with automation goals and minimizes data duplication, the trade association told CBP in response to the agency's call for comments on its planned modifications to Form 7501 (see 2511300002).
"The unnecessary duplication of data both in electronic format and through paper-based processes increases resource consumption for both the trade and CBP," NCBFAA said. "Moreover, it is worth noting that in cases where non-ABI transactions occur, CBP already possesses the necessary data from the paper documents that accompany the entry."
CBP had informed the Office of Management and Budget in December that it is planning to revise instructions for Form 7501, which is used for entry summary filing, to clarify what defines country of melt and pour for steel imports and what defines country of smelted and cast for aluminum imports.
But NCBFAA argued that the proposed requirements include data elements already being provided in ACE and that the printed 7501 form is only required for very limited scenarios, such as non-automated entries or warehouse entries or withdrawal.
Read more
