[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 19, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 19CFR142.3a]

[Page 43]
 
                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
  CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 142--ENTRY PROCESS--Table of Contents
 
                     Subpart A--Entry Documentation
 
Sec. 142.3a  Entry numbers.

    (a) Placement on Customs Forms. The importer or broker shall place 
an 11 character entry number on the entry and corresponding entry 
summary documentation. For documentation prepared on data processing 
equipment, the number shall be printed directly on the form. For 
manually prepared documentation, the number shall be pre-printed in a 
machine readable format specified by Customs. The same number shall not 
be used for more than one entry transaction.
    (b) Format. The following format, including hyphens, must be used 
when showing the entry number:

                              XXX-NNNNNNN-N


XXX represents an entry filer code assigned by Customs, NNNNNNN is a 
unique number which is assigned by the broker or importer, and N is a 
check digit computed from the first 10 characters based on a formula 
provided by Customs.
    (1) Assignment of Entry Filer Code. Customs will assign a unique 3 
character (alphabetic, numeric, or alpha numeric) entry filer code to 
all licensed brokers filing Customs entries. Customs will assign an 
entry filer code to certain importers filing Customs entries based on 
importer entry volume, frequency of entry filing, and other 
considerations. The broker or importer shall use this assigned code as 
the beginning three characters of the number for all Customs entries, 
regardless of where the entries are filed.
    (2) Entry Filer Assigned Number. For each entry, the broker or 
importer shall assign a unique 7 digit number. This number shall not be 
assigned to more than one transaction.
    (3) Check Digit. The broker or importer is responsible for ensuring 
that the check digit is computed by data processing equipment.
    (c) Pulication of Entry Filer Codes. Customs shall make available 
electronically a listing of filer codes and the importers, consignees, 
and customs brokers assigned those filer codes. The listing will be 
updated periodically.
    (d) Misuse of the Entry Filer Code. The port director may refuse to 
allow use of an assigned entry filer code if it is misused by the 
importer or broker.
    (e) Alternative Procedure. If an importer does not have an assigned 
entry filer code, or if the port director, in accordance with paragraph 
(d) of this section refuses to allow use of an assigned entry filer 
code, the importer or broker shall obtain forms with a Customs assigned 
pre-printed machine readable entry number with a computed check digit. 
These forms will be available for sale by Customs and must be obtained 
and used before the merchandise may be released from Customs custody.

[T.D. 86-106, 51 FR 19167, May 28, 1986, as amended by T.D. 98-25, 63 FR 
12996, Mar. 17, 1998]