FTR Letters

FTR Letter No. 4                                  

April 23, 2009

MEMORANDUM FOR	U.S. Customs Service Headquarters, Directors of Field Operations, Port Directors, Foreign Trade Zone Operators, U.S. Department of Commerce District Offices, U.S. Principal Parties in Interest, Freight Forwarders, Exporting Carriers, Consolidators, U.S. Customs Brokers, and All Others Concerned
From:	William G. Bostic, Jr. Chief, Foreign Trade Division (FTD)
Subject:	Filing Time-Frames Exemption for Puerto Rico

This letter further clarifies the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) Letter No. 1 issued
September 4, 2008, requirement for advance filing of Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System for shipments between the United States and Puerto Rico. As specified in the FTR, Section 30.4(b)(2), the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI), or the authorized agent shall file the EEI when required, no later than the time period specified by the mode of transportation.

In reviewing this issue with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, we have determined that the Trade Act deadlines do not apply to shipments within the U.S. Customs Territory, which include Puerto Rico.  Therefore, Puerto Rico is exempt from the filing time frames in the FTR. After further consultation with the trade community servicing Puerto Rico, the proof of filing citation, postdeparture filing citation, or exemption citation must be presented to the carrier by the time the shipment arrives at the port of unloading for shipments between the United Sates and Puerto Rico.

This exemption from the required filing of advanced cargo information applies only to shipments between the United States and Puerto Rico.  Shipments from the United States or Puerto Rico to the U.S. Virgin Islands or a foreign country are not exempt and must follow the required filing time frames as specified in Section 30.4(b)(2).  The U.S. Virgin Islands is not a part of the U.S. Customs Territory.

Every effort must be made by the USPPI and authorized agents to comply with these requirements.  If you have questions concerning these requirements, please contact the U.S. Census Bureau, Regulations, Outreach, and Education Branch, Foreign Trade Division, on 800-549-0595, option 3, or by email using ftdregs@census.gov.