Customs and Border Protection Bureau August 23, 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The current regulations in title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations allow CBP to collect a merchandise processing fee (MPF) on imported shipments to recoup administrative expenses. However, ``originating merchandise'' that qualifies to be marked as goods of Canada or of Mexico under the NAFTA are exempted from this fee. CBP is proposing to amend the regulations to clarify that an importer is subject to the same declaration requirement that is established for claiming NAFTA duty preference in order to claim the exemption of the MPF for goods that meet a NAFTA rule of origin even when the goods are unconditionally free. In addition, CBP is proposing to make several technical corrections. CBP is proposing to amend the regulations to clarify that a Certificate of Origin is not required for a commercial importation for which the total value of originating goods does not exceed $2,500. CBP is also proposing to remedy two incorrect addresses and an incorrect Code of Federal Regulations citation.