CBP Relaxes Certificate Requirements for Imports From U.S. Insular Possessions
CBP is easing documentation requirements for goods imported from U.S. insular possessions other than Puerto Rico, in a final rule that takes effect March 13 (here). The agency will no longer require that a customs official at the port of export in the U.S. insular possession verify and sign CBP Form 3229, Certificate of Origin for U.S. Insular Possessions. Additionally, importers will no longer have to present the form with each entry; instead importers will have to maintain the certificate in their records and present them at CBP’s request. The form will still be listed on the “(a)(1)(A)” list under 19 CFR 163, so importers will still be subject to the recordkeeping penalties if it cannot be produced, said CBP.
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U.S. insular possessions affected by the change include the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, Johnston Atoll, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Goods imported into the customs territory of the U.S. from an insular possession may be eligible for duty-free treatment under the General Note 3(a)(iv) of the HTS.
(Federal Register 02/11/15)