CBP Expects Long-Term Impact to Texas Ports From Harvey, Says Send Cargo Elsewhere
The trade community should plan for the Port of Houston and other ports affected by Hurricane Harvey to be closed for the “foreseeable future,” and start sending cargo to other ports until damage from the storm can be fully assessed, said Gary Schreffler, acting chief of CBP’s Cargo Control & Release Branch, during a call held Aug. 29. Recent guidance issued by CBP requesting diversion of cargo to other ports applies only for the short term, affecting shipments already on the water. Shipments leaving ports now should find other destinations, as affected ports could be closed for a month or more, he said.
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In its guidance, CBP said only changes to manifests are necessary, and no changes required for entries that have already been filed for diverted shipments. Changes to Importer Security Filings aren’t necessary, and CBP will not issue liquidated damages for ISF filings that list Houston and other affected ports as the port of arrival, Schreffler said. The Food and Drug Administration has agreed that changes to prior notices are also not necessary.
CBP’s top priority now is facilitating movement of cargo, but the agency will soon issue guidance on how it will handle statements and reconciliation entries affected by the port closures, Schreffler said. The agency will also likely relax permitting procedures to allow brokers permitted only in Houston to file at other ports. “One off” scenarios are expected, and CBP will continue to work with the trade community to address them, he said. In the meantime, CBP continues to monitor Harvey as it moves along the Gulf Coast for potential impacts on other ports, including the Port of New Orleans, he said.