Pandemic Supply Importers Should Give CBP Advance Notice

Importers of COVID-19 pandemic response materials should give CBP advance notice of shipments, the CBP New York Field Office said in a March 24 information pipeline. Products deserving of advance notice include “pharmaceutical products, personal protective equipment, building supplies, or other items,” CBP said. This is meant to help “expedite legitimate shipments” of the goods, “while taking appropriate enforcement action against nefarious actors,” it said. The advance notification should include “shipments in the air, on the water, or already arrived and pending release, and is particularly true for shipments CBP has placed on hold,” it said. Any shipment issues should be directed to the arrival port, it said. CBP has also created a toll-free number to contact the Centers of Excellence and Expertise because most personnel are teleworking, it said. That number is 1-866-295-7624.