[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 19, Volume 2]

[Revised as of April 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 19CFR142.3a]



[Page 45]

 

                        TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES

 

   CHAPTER I--BUREAU OF CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION, DEPARTMENT OF 

        HOMELAND SECURITY; DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED)

 

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]