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<p>I met with CBP officials today to hear about their proposed
solutions to the ACE entry problem as it pertains to hand-carries.
At last report, the Ornithological Council had been readying a
request for a private ruling that, if CBP responded positively, I
would have then made available to ornithologists to carry when
arriving with imports. In essence, it would have had the same
effect as guidance to the ports(which is what we'd first
requested), albeit in a round-about manner. However, they asked
that the OC hold off to them time to discuss other solutions. <br>
</p>
<p>So this was the first of several planned meetings and we will be
going forward with at least two of the specific ideas they have
proposed, which are to hold a webinar for their field operations
people (it will be recorded so they can use it even if they can't
attend when it is offered live) and a FAQ. That will help them to
understand the USFWS and APHIS requirements and how we meet them.</p>
<p>However, it won't address the one key issue, which is that ACE
entry problem. The only current work-around is to use a customs
broker but that could get expensive in a hurry. However, they have
another concern, which is advance notice of the shipment. Right
now, there is only one way to give them advance notice with is via
airline cargo manifests. Their suggested solution - the airline
cargo manifest - actually solves both problems. It would entail
one more step for you, but it would take care of the ACE problem
at no cost to you.</p>
<p>So basically, they regard your import as cargo or merchandise,
even though you are importing in your personal accompanying
luggage, because of the nature of the import. And frankly, they
were almost certainly going to turn down our request for a private
letter ruling because in essence, it was asking that the imports
NOT be considered cargo or merchandise. Their attorneys had
already suggested that they would not agree to that. <br>
</p>
<p>So about airline cargo manifests - basically, you would have to
ask your airlines cargo office to add your import to their
manifest. That means the airline handles the ACE entry for you and
CBP has its advance notice. They are going to set up meetings with
airline reps so I can get more information about how this is done
and what it entails and obviously, I would then share the
information with you. <br>
</p>
<p>Now, I know of one instance where the CBP told us that a
hand-carry import should be handled this way and the ornithologist
went to the airline and asked for this and the airline had no idea
what he was talking about. And CBP acknowledged that this can
happen with some airlines and that they realize a gap-filler is
needed. I suggested a single point of contact who can receive
e-mails with the necessary information and then contact the U.S.
port of arrival to prevent problems. They are going to consider
that.</p>
<p>So for now, the only way to be sure to avoid hand-carry problems
is to use a customs broker but we should soon have that sorted
out. FWIW, I have not heard of a single problem with hand-carries
since August 2017, so either all of you are using brokers, or the
CBP has eased up knowing this problem exists. <br>
</p>
<p>So stay tuned.</p>
<p>Ellen</p>
<p>PS - I have been mistakenly calling the port inspectors
Agricultural Quarantine Inspectors (AQI). That is what they were
called when they were still USDA APHIS employees (pre 9/11). When
they were transferred to CBP, they became known as CBP
Agricultural Specialists. There is still an APHIS presence at the
ports but they are not the people you see when you go for your
agricultural inspection. <br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
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<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=cjytLXgP8ixuoHflwc-poQ&r=LpYc_Z_iN1KRw0hheb3x6-8MJUMu482qfHowpGYJqwc&m=nBrL1riAoZpSP9vlOqi9_o7JVpcYTodGmF2UHL3Ud-M&s=qsSlrNm69QntIGt-7BRq3QgL5oIbTlVpWFPkk3sQ32o&e=">Ornithological
Council</a> <br>
Providing Scientific Information about Birds</p>
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