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<p>As warned in mine of March 13, pasted in below, things are not
working 100% at this point. This past week, we've been struggling
with the Port of Atlanta, where a CBP field operations official is
(a) certain that these imports require CDC clearance - and won't
hear otherwise and (b) therefore insists that an ACE entry is
required.</p>
<p>We continue to ask CBP HQ to issue guidance and in the meantime,
have asked HQ to deal with the field ops people in Atlanta. We are
still waiting to hear back from them. And FYI, this resulted from
the importer doing *exactly* as HQ recommended, which was to call
the CBP at the port in advance. <br>
</p>
If you have any problems with this ACE declaration situation at any
port, please let me know. You still have the option of using a
customs broker. It isn't all that expensive and can help you avoid
this headache. <br>
<br>
Thanks.<br>
<br>
Ellen<br>
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<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">Ellen Paul</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Executive Director</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nmnh.si.edu_BIRDNET&d=DwMDaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=gPgkTp1F8qAfzRZZu-56H8DRYiTWW_9SVn4rIBl9IZ4&s=rivLKNOqtb_w9nA6ZJe2o17kAwH7cWJtRbjIp1TFJ7g&e=">Ornithological
Council</a> <br>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Phone (301) 986 8568<br>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">
Providing Scientific Information about Birds</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br>
</p>
<p>The Ornithological Council (OC) is pleased and relieved to
inform all of you that OC now has confirmation from Customs
and Border Protection (CBP) that the ACE declaration process
IS NOT, repeat IS NOT, required for your HAND-CARRIES, i.e.,
imports coming in with you and your personal luggage (as
opposed to cargo shipments). Yes, this is completely contrary
to what CBP said 10 months ago. <br>
</p>
<p>Therefore, you can resume bringing this material in the way
you'd been doing it all along, before CBP said last year that
you would need to do an ACE entry: <br>
</p>
<p>1. Make sure you have all required permits (USFWS, APHIS, as
required) and associated paperwork (3-177 unless you used
e-decs; APHIS certificate of origin or certificate of
treatment, as appropriate; pro forma invoice).</p>
<p>2. On the blue-and-white customs declaration form (<a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cbp.gov_sites_default_files_assets_documents_2016-2DJun_CBP-2520Form-25206059B-2520-25280316-2529-2520-2D-2520Fillable-5FENGLISH-5F0.pdf&d=DwMDaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=gPgkTp1F8qAfzRZZu-56H8DRYiTWW_9SVn4rIBl9IZ4&s=mGacX0771GzwwyCbYWBUUqM3wDGsRMv7jJ0NQuJ3dQs&e=">6059b</a>),
check yes on box 10(b).</p>
<p>3. The customs officer should send you to the Agricultural
Quarantine Inspection station. Note that the AQI stations are
staffed by CBP officers but they are enforcing APHIS
regulations, not CBP regulations. Therefore, if you have a
problem with AQI, ask for an Agriculture supervisor, not a CBP
supervisor. <br>
</p>
<p>4. Meet with the USFWS Law Enforcement inspector as arranged
prior to your arrival.</p>
<p>(Note that the regulations provide that if the USFWS Law
Enforcement officer is not available, Customs can clear you,
subject to later recall of the import for inspection. Not the
best practice - better to be sure you are arriving M-F, 9-5,
no federal holidays, and that you've contacted the port in
advance to make arrangements to meet with the USFWS Law
Enforcement inspector). <br>
</p>
<p>The reason this is only "almost" great news is:</p>
<p>1. The transition to ACE is so huge and so confusing that it
is very likely that many CBP port officers have misunderstood
the requirements - as did the federal agency officials who
told OC last April that ACE entry would be required, and as
did the CBP staffer who confirmed that, and as have the other
CBP staffers with whom OC has engaged since that. And as did
the CBP officer in Detroit who forced a researcher to do an
ACE entry last year. The CBP had been telling OC all along
that they realized that this was a problem and was burdensome
and that they would eventually come up with a solution, but a
year or two down the road, after they'd gotten ACE off the
ground and running smoothly. <br>
</p>
<p>This new information came about as a result of a series of
discussions about technical minutia that resulted in OC
getting written confirmation about two weeks ago from APHIS
that they would allow the continued use of paper filings
(permits, pro forma invoices, and certificates of origin or
treatment) at the ports and would not require ACE entries for
the hand-carried scientific research material. As the USFWS
had already decided and stated that it would allow the
continued use of paper filings (permits and 3-177s or e-decs)
and would not require ACE entries, it seemed that the only
thing left to do was get written confirmation from the CBP.
They have confirmed it but not in a manner that can be used by
you when you get to the ports. <br>
</p>
<p>2. I have not yet been able to persuade anyone at CBP to
issue guidance to the ports. I am still working on it. <br>
</p>
<p>3. Legally, the CBP always has the right to force a formal
entry if they feel they have reason to do so. Examples would
include: missing permits or related paperwork, reason to think
the import might be commercial, or for any other reason. The
situation at the ports in recent weeks is worrisome and I'm
not referring just to non-citizen visitors. For instance, we
came in through Miami last month, using Global Entry.
Ordinarily, you just hold up your Global Entry receipt and
they wave you through. Instead, even Global Entry
receipt-holders were made to undergo the regular
passport-review and questioning. <br>
</p>
<p>So there's a bit of chance-taking going on. However, the CBP
trade specialist offered this advice:</p>
<p>1. If you are told you need to file an ACE entry, ask to
speak to a an entry specialist supervisor. Be very polite!</p>
<p>2. Never refer to your import as a "shipment." Shipment means
cargo and cargo does require an entry. Use the word "import."
<br>
</p>
<p>3. Consider calling the port in advance of your trip to
verify that they will not require an entry for a hand-carried
import of under $800 in value. Write down the name of the
person you spoke with and the date of the conversation. Here
is the contact info: <a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cbp.gov_contact_ports&d=DwMDaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=gPgkTp1F8qAfzRZZu-56H8DRYiTWW_9SVn4rIBl9IZ4&s=OZK_HTkkYcA2loeO39JRXFIqeNy0pWsxaJT2GJnekao&e=">https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports</a></p>
<p>4. Print out and carry a copy of the regulation with you. I'm
awaiting confirmation that this is the relevant regulation and
as soon as I know, you will know:</p>
<p> <span class="SECTNO SECTION-SECTNO" style="font-weight:
bold; text-align: left; width: 201px; float: left; color:
rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;
font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal;
font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans:
2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space:
normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;
-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">50 CFR § 148.13</span><span
class="SUBJECT SECTION-SUBJECT" style="font-weight: bold;
width: auto; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif;
font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;
font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width:
0px;">Written declarations.</span><span style="color: rgb(0,
0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;
font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal;
font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width:
0px; display: inline !important; float: none;"></span><span
class="P" style="display: block; margin-top: 10px;
margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal;
orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">(a)<span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="E-03"
style="font-style: italic; padding-right: 2px;
padding-left: 2px;">When required.</span><span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Unless an oral
declaration is accepted under § 148.12, the declaration
required of a person arriving in the United States shall be
in writing on Customs Form 6059-B.</span><span class="P"
style="display: block; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:
10px; clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:
sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;
font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2;
text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;
white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;
-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">(b)<span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="E-03"
style="font-style: italic; padding-right: 2px;
padding-left: 2px;">Completion and presentation of written
declarations.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The
person arriving in the United States shall complete the
information required by Customs Form 6059-B and shall list
all articles acquired abroad which are in his possession at
the time of arrival. Individual items not exceeding $5 per
item in fair retail value in the country of acquisition may
be grouped on the written declaration as “Miscellaneous” up
to but not exceeding a total value of $50. Articles not
requiring itemization as set forth in paragraph (c) of this
section shall be declared orally to the Customs officer. The
form shall be presented to the Customs officer who will
inspect the passenger's baggage.</span><span class="P"
style="display: block; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:
10px; clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family:
sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style: normal;
font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal;
font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2;
text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;
white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;
-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">(c)<span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="E-03"
style="font-style: italic; padding-right: 2px;
padding-left: 2px;">Itemization of certain articles not
required.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Except
as required by § 148.62 or § 148.66 for crewmembers'
articles, the following need not be itemized in written
declarations:</span><span class="P" style="display: block;
margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both; color:
rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;
font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal;
font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width:
0px;">(1) Effects of a returning resident entitled to free
entry under subheading 9804.00.10, Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) (19 U.S.C. 1202), for
tools of trade taken abroad, or under subheading,
9804.00.45, HTSUS, for personal or household effects taken
abroad. However, automobiles and other vehicles of residents
returning from countries other than Canada or Mexico and the
cost of all repairs or alterations to articles taken abroad
must be itemized.</span><span class="P" style="display:
block; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both;
color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size:
13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width:
0px;">(2) Effects of a nonresident entitled to free entry
under subheading 9804.00.20, HTSUS (19 U.S.C. 1202), for
wearing apparel and other similar personal effects;
subheading 9804.00.25, HTSUS, for tobacco products and
alcoholic beverages; subheading 9804.00.30, HTSUS, for
articles to be disposed of as bona fide gifts; or subheading
9804.00.40, HTSUS, for articles accompanying a person in
transit to a place outside U.S. customs territory.</span><span
class="P" style="display: block; margin-top: 10px;
margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal;
orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">(3)
Books, libraries, furniture, and similar household effects
entitled to free entry under subheading 9804.00.05, HTSUS.</span><span
class="P" style="display: block; margin-top: 10px;
margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal;
orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">(d)<span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="E-03"
style="font-style: italic; padding-right: 2px;
padding-left: 2px;">Value.</span><span
class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Opposite the
description of each article required to be declared
specifically in a written declaration, the passenger shall
state either:</span><span class="P" style="display: block;
margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both; color:
rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;
font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal;
font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width:
0px;">(1) The price actually paid for the article in the
currency of purchase, or its equivalent in U.S. currency; or</span><span
class="P" style="display: block; margin-top: 10px;
margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal;
orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">(2) The
fair retail value in the country of acquisition if the
article was not acquired by purchase, in the currency of the
country in which the article was acquired, or its equivalent
in U.S. currency.</span><span class="P" style="display:
block; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; clear: both;
color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: sans-serif; font-size:
13.3333px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures:
normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal;
letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start;
text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal;
widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width:
0px;">(e)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span
class="E-03" style="font-style: italic; padding-right:
2px; padding-left: 2px;">Acknowledgment before Customs
officer.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Each
written declaration shall be acknowledged by the declarant
before the Customs officer who examines the baggage covered
by the declaration.</span></p>
<table class="CITA" style="text-indent: 1cm; text-align: left;
margin-top: 5pt; margin-bottom: 20pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);
font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px; font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans:
2; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;">
</table>
I worry that showing the regulation to a Customs officer may
cause backlash.<br>
<br>
Anyway, you may still, if you wish to do so, use the customs
broker in the manner previously explained and I will say that
everyone has had a very good experience with John S. Connor, so
that's still a viable option. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">Ellen Paul</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Executive Director</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nmnh.si.edu_BIRDNET&d=DwMDaQ&c=-dg2m7zWuuDZ0MUcV7Sdqw&r=CLFZJ3fvGSmDp7xK1dNZfh6uGV_h-8NVlo3fXNoRNzI&m=gPgkTp1F8qAfzRZZu-56H8DRYiTWW_9SVn4rIBl9IZ4&s=rivLKNOqtb_w9nA6ZJe2o17kAwH7cWJtRbjIp1TFJ7g&e=">Ornithological
Council</a> <br>
Providing Scientific Information about Birds</p>
</div>
</div>
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