CBP Issues Guidance for Exports during Hurricane Irma

Similar to guidance issued following Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana, US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) has issued CSMS 17-000555 providing “Guidance for Exports during Hurricane Irma.”

Commercial operations at a number of CBP ports in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Bahamas and Puerto Rico have been temporarily suspended beginning September 6th or later due to Hurricane Irma.

Exporters that are able to divert their export cargo are encouraged to do so. The exporters or their filing agents should make every effort to correct and update the Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings within the Automated Export System (AES) to reflect the new ports of export, the date of export, and the new carrier information.

CBP suggests that prior to amending the EEI, the exporter, freight forwarder, or the authorized filing agent, if possible, attempt to determine if any of the cargo has been damaged. Exporters will need to make the business decision, if any of the cargo has been damaged, to amend the EEI filing or to cancel the shipment and the EEI filing.

If adjustments in the quantities or values of the cargo being exported under an export license or license exemption/exception, the exporter or their authorized filing agent should first attempt to amend the EEI filing to reflect the corrected information for the shipment. If the amendment is not successful, please contact Outbound Enforcement at OFO-Export-Cargo@cbp.dhs.gov and provide the Internal Transaction Number (ITN), the license number, the corrected quantities and values for each controlled commodities (including the International Traffic in Arms [ITAR] data elements).

Exporters: Specific questions about pending exports should be reviewed with your Livingston export service team.

Your general questions about this regulatory update may be directed to Livingston’s US Regulatory Affairs group: usregaffairs@livingstonintl.com.