U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published CSMS #42161666 this afternoon notifying the Trade that the agency is no longer accepting requests for additional days for payment. The CSMS also provides guidance to Brokers (including brokers that made requests on behalf of importers), Importers, and Sureties on processing the universe of entries affected by the previous CSMS. CBP will retain the right to allow additional days for narrow circumstances, including a physical inability to file entry or payments, due to technology outages or port closures.

Time Frame for Payment

Single payments, daily and periodic monthly statement payments of estimated duties, taxes and fees that should have been tendered from 3/20/2020 through 3/26/2020, must be initiated by 3/27/2020.

If a trade member did not pay CBP for estimated duties, taxes and fees due 3/20/2020 through 3/26/2020, payment should be initiated via FedWire or ACH credit by 3/27/2020.

Payment Instructions

If paying via FedWire, please follow these instructions. For payment of Periodic Monthly Statement, include the Periodic Monthly Statement numbers in the Originator to Beneficiary Information Line 2. If paying a daily statement, please enter the daily statement number. If paying multiple statements, please send the list of those statements to debitvoucherteam2@cbp.dhs.gov. Alternatively, parties who are current ACH Credit participants may pay via ACH Credit following normal business practices.

Please Note: Although the temporary option was provided to extend payment due dates, if the money was withdrawn from the account, these funds are legally owed to CBP and a refund will not be issued. Trade users need to work with their financial institutions to ensure that future ACH debit and ACH credit payments to CBP are processed appropriately.

Additional Information

CBP is continuing to work with their federal and private sector partners to identify appropriate mechanisms to manage the operational impacts of COVID-19. The Trade community should monitor CSMS for additional changes related to COVID-19.

We have been asked if previous approvals are rescinded, and we are working with Customs and NCBFAA to clarify as it applies to individual clients and will respond accordingly. While the guidance informs the trade community that no more requests will be accepted, it also states they retain the right to allow for this under certain circumstances. We have asked for procedures should importers need to apply

Source: NCBFAA, CBP