Wednesday, July 29, 2015 | From the Tuttle Law Offices
The Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 signed into law on June 29, 2015, renewed the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) with retroactive treatment back to July 31, 2013. CBP issued instructions to the field for procedures to obtain refunds. Obtain Refund…
ABI Filers that Used the GSP Indicator
When GSP expired on July 31, 2013 ABI filers generally filed their GSP entries with the “A”, “A*” or “A+” SPI indicator and deposited the duties. The indicator enables CBP to reliquidate the entries and issue refunds after GSP legislative renewal without required further action by the filer.
Filers that Didn’t Use the SPI Indicator
For importers who did not identify entries with the SPI for GSP, refund claims must be filed for each entry at the port of entry no later than December 28, 2015, the 180th day after enactment. CBP recommends that the following information be included in each letter:
- A statement requesting a refund, as provided by section 201 of Title II of the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015;
- An enumeration of the entry numbers and line items for which refunds are requested; and
- The amount requested to be refunded for each line item and the total amount owed (not including interest) for all entry summaries.
Importer/Broker Verification of Refunds on Entries by November 1, 2015
We recommend that importers have their brokers create a schedule of all GSP entries and the duties deposited. If refunds are not received by November 1, 2015, follow-up letters should be filed with the port of entry. If refunds are not received by December 1, 2015, we recommend that protest claims be filed with the port of entry.
Mail and Baggage Entries
Separate instructions have been issued for mail entries, baggage declaration and non-ABI informal entries.
If you have questions about SPI’s, the GSP renewal, or any other compliance related issue, please contact OCEANAIR compliance at (781) 286-2700.
