Effective October 1, 2004:  Two big changes may severely hinder U.S. Customs clearance.  1. The IRS # of the U.S. Buyer(s) or Consignee(s) must be provided at time of release for U.S. Customs clearance.  If the number(s) is/are not provided, the shipment will NOT be released into the U.S. until the number(s) is/are provided.  (See out notes below for how this will work for your entries).  2.  Tariff Classification of every item being imported must be provided at the time of release.  Previously, only Lines valued over $2000 needed to be classified at time of release.  On informal entries or informal lines on a consolidated entry (see next paragraph), the name and address of the buyer or consignee will be allowed in lieu of an IRS#, but the IRS# is preferred and will also be allowed.

Note 1:  Companies who send single shipments (customs clearances) to multiple consignees are most severely affected!!!  (See level 4 below).

Note 2:  Line Release Customers will also be affected!!! (See bottom of this notice).

Note for SmartBorder.com customers: SmartBorder ProForma Invoice creation is being modified to accommodate the changes listed below.  You will see the changes go online soon.

Level 1 – If there is a single consignee and the Buyer is listed with a valid IRS#, we will use the buyers IRS#.  Note for SmartBorder customers: When a SB ProForma is used, the IRS# of the Buyer will Auto-Populate all the Line items on the “Broker side” for proper transmission to Customs to accommodate these new rules.

Level 2 – If there is a single consignee and there is not a separate buyer listed or the buyer does not have an IRS# but the consignee does we will use the consignees IRS#.  Note for SmartBorder customers: When a SB ProForma is used, the IRS# of the Consignee will Auto-Populate all the Line items on the “Broker side” for proper transmission to Customs to accommodate these new rules.

Level 3 – If there are multiple consignees & shipment is NOT subject to FDA-PN and there is one buyer listed with a valid IRS#, we will use the buyers IRS#.  Note for SmartBorder customers: When a SB ProForma is used, the IRS# of the Buyer will Auto-Populate all the Line items on the “Broker side” for proper transmission to Customs to accommodate these new rules.

Note: for levels 1,2 & 3, if the entry is informal only a Name and Address is required but an IRS# will be accepted and is preferable.

Level 4 - If there are MULTIPLE CONSIGNEES & shipment is NOT subject to FDA-PN, each line valued at or over $2000 needs an Ultimate Consignee with a valid IRS# and each line valued under $2000 needs a consignee listed with a name and address (IRS# is optional).  Further, each item shipped must be classified separately based on who the consignee is.  Note for SmartBorder customers: When creating the Customs ProForma Invoice a Consignee will be required for each line of product selected.  When a SB ProForma is used, the IRS # (or the Name and Address) will Auto-Populate the associated Line item on the “Broker side” for proper transmission to Customs to accommodate these new rules.  (There will be no extra Customs clearance charges (than you have already been quoted) for properly completed SmartBorder ProForma shipments).  Note for Non-SmartBorder customers… if we have to type multiple names and addresses or “track down” valid IRS #’s extra Customs clearance charges will occur.  Further, Additional Classification charges for multiple line entries will be charged as quoted.

Level 5 - If there are multiple consignees & shipment IS subject to FDA-PN an Ultimate Consignee with a valid IRS# must be provided for each line.  Further, each item shipped must be classified separately based on who the consignee is.  When a SB ProForma is used, the IRS # from each line will Auto-Populate the associated Line item on the “Broker side” for proper transmission to Customs to accommodate these new rules.  See Level 4 Notes.

Line Release shipments – will NOT need the IRS # IF the shipment clears as a Line Release shipment BUT, ALL Line Release shipments are subject to various levels of exam… when an exam is ordered a standard release must be transmitted to U.S. Customs that will need to meet the above requirements (including multiple consignee requirements).  EVERY LINE RELEASE SHIPPER HAS HAD THEIR SHIPMENTS UNDERGO SOME LEVEL OF EXAM, MULTIPLE TIMES IN A YEAR… IF IRS#’S ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE WHEN THIS OCCURS, CUSTOMS CLEARANCE WILL BE SEVERELY DELAYED.

Great Lakes Customs Brokerage Inc. will be doing everything possible to make help make this transition as smooth as possible.  Your patience will be greatly appreciated through these and all the upcoming changes.  Please contact your Great Lakes customer service team if we can be of further assistance or should you have any questions.  The following link will take you to the notice about the Ultimate Consignee changes, posted on U.S. Customs website http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/cargo_summary/ult_consignee.xml .