CBP Issues FAQs on CBP Form 7501 (New Version Required April 1st)

The following are highlights of the FAQs:

June 2009 Version of CBP Form 7501 Only Accepted Beginning April 1st

In response to a question on which version of the form the filer should use if they need to re-print/re-submit a 7501 for a previous shipment, CBP states that for all submissions on or after April 1, 2010 filers should use the June 2009 version.

CBP previously issued a memorandum announcing that effective April 1, 2010 it will no longer accept versions of CBP Form 7501 dated prior to June 2009. CBP sources state that the June 2009 version does not contain any substantial changes compared to the previous version of the form (dated April 2005). The two differences in the forms are (1) the new version's date (June 2009) at the bottom right hand corner of the form and (2) the addition of the expiration date (March 31, 2012) at the top right hand corner of the form.

Number of 7501 Copies Required for Entry

Regarding how many copies of the CBP Form 7501 should be provided when a filer files an entry summary, CBP states that if the summary is filed ABI, the filer should only submit the original copy of the CBP 7501. If the summary if filed non-ABI, the filer should submit the original CBP 7501, the statistical copy, and if there is a payment of duties/taxes/fees, the filer should also provide a cashier copy. For a non-ABI warehouse entry, the filer should provide the "permit copy."

Instructions for Requesting Permission to Print the CF 7501

In response to a question on whether or not CBP requires a specific type of paper on which the CBP Form 7501 should be printed, CBP states that all requests for the printing of the form should be sent to:

1. 0 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Room 3.2C

Washington, DC 20229

Attn: Forms Manager

The requestor should forward a blank, paper version of the form to be approved to the forms manager for review. Questions regarding the approval process, printing of CBP Form 7501s, etc. should be directed to the forms manager at (202) 344-1951.

Charges Must be Recorded for Every Entry Summary Line

A filer is required to input charges on every entry summary line, regardless of value.

Reporting FIRMS Code and Name When Not Enough Space is Available

If there is not enough room in block 21 (Location of Goods/G.O. Number) for a filer to put the FIRMS (Facilities Information and Resources Management Systems) code and name, the filer should record the FIRMS code or the pier/site where the goods are located in block 21. The use of the FIRMS code in lieu of the pier/site/name of location is acceptable.

Reporting Importers with Foreign Addresses

If the importer has a foreign address, for block 26 (Importer of Record Name and Address), the filer should place the letters "FN" in the "State" field, and place the two-digit ISO country code in the far right-hand corner. The City/State/Zip fields should not be removed.

Reporting HMF in the "Other" Block

In response to a question on how should the harbor maintenance fee (HMF) amount print in block 39 (Other), CBP states that the grand total user fee in this block should be reported as the total fee amount of all line items. However, there is a de minimis on the HMF if it is the only payment due on the entry summary. In this case, HMF of $3 or less will not be collected. The grand total user fee in this block should be reported as the total fee amount of all line items, but the amount in block 39 should be reported as $0. The decimal shall be used.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/24/09 news, 09112435 1, for BP summary announcing that CBP would be posting these FAQs.

See ITT's Online Archives or 09/03/09 news, 09090305, for BP summary of CBP extending the deadline for the use of the new version of CBP Form 7501 to April 1st.)

FAQs (dated 11/23/09) available at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/entry_summary/cbp7501/7501_faq.xml