[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 19, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 19CFR128.1]

[Page 628-629]
 
                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
 
  CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
 
PART 128--EXPRESS CONSIGNMENTS--Table of Contents
 
                           Subpart A--General
 
Sec. 128.1  Definitions.


    For the purpose of this part the following definitions shall apply:
    (a) Express consignment operator or carrier. An ``express 
consignment operator or carrier'' is an entity operating in any mode or 
intermodally moving cargo by special express commercial service under 
closely integrated administrative control. Its services are offered to 
the public under advertised, reliable timely delivery on a door-to-door 
basis. An express consignment operator assumes liability to Customs for 
the articles in the same manner as if it is the sole carrier.
    (b) Cargo. ``Cargo'' means any and all shipments imported into the 
Customs territory of the United States by an express consignment 
operator or carrier whether manifested, accompanied, or unaccompanied.
    (c) Courier shipment. A ``courier shipment'' is an accompanied 
express consignment shipment.

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    (d) Hub. A ``hub'' is a separate, unique, single purpose facility 
normally operating outside of Customs operating hours approved by the 
port director for entry filing, examination, and release of express 
consignment shipments.
    (e) Express consignment carrier facility. An ``express consignment 
carrier facility'' is a separate or shared specialized facility approved 
by the port director solely for the examination and release of express 
consignment shipments.
    (f) Closely integrated administrative control. The term ``closely 
integrated administrative control'' means operations must be 
sufficiently integrated at both ends of the service (i.e., pick-up and 
delivery) so that the express consignment company can exercise a high 
degree of control over the shipments, particularly in regard to the 
reliability of information supplied for Customs purposes. Such control 
would be indicated by substantial common ownership between the local 
company and the foreign affiliate and/or by a very close contractual 
relationship between the local company and its foreign affiliate(s) 
(e.g., a franchise arrangement).
    (g) Reimbursable. ``Reimbursable'' means all normal costs incurred 
at an express consignment operator's hub or an express consignment 
carrier facility that are required to be reimbursed to the Government.