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(continued) the completed Notice of Arrival or otherwise, the port director shall deliver to the Administrator samples of the imported pesticides or devices, together with all accompanying labels, circulars, and advertising matter pertaining to such merchandise. The port director shall notify the consignee, in writing, that the samples of imported pesticides or devices, together with all accompanying labels, circulars, and advertising matter pertaining to such merchandise have been delivered to the Administrator.

[T.D. 75–194, 40 FR 32322, Aug. 1, 1975]

§ 12.117 Procedure after examination.
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(a) Merchandise complying with the Act. If, upon examination or analysis of a sample from a shipment of pesticides or devices, the sample is found to be in compliance with the Act, the Administrator shall notify the port director that the shipment may be released to the consignee.

(b) Merchandise not complying with the Act. If, upon examination or analysis of a sample from a shipment of pesticides or devices, the sample is found to be in violation of the Act, the consignee shall be notified promptly by the Administrator of the nature of the violation and be given a reasonable time, not to exceed 20 days, to submit written material or, at his option, to appear before the Administrator and introduce testimony, to show cause why the shipment should not be destroyed or refused entry. If, after consideration of all the evidence presented, it is still the opinion of the Administrator that the merchandise is in violation of the Act, the Administrator shall notify the port director of this opinion and the port director shall either (1) refuse delivery to the consignee, or (2) if the shipment has been released to the consignee under bond, demand redelivery of the shipment under the terms of the bond. If the merchandise is not redelivered within 30 days after the date of demand by the port director, the port director shall issue a demand for liquidated damages in the full amount of the bond if it is a single entry bond, or if a continuous bond is used, the amount that would have been taken under a single entry bond. The port director shall cause the destruction of any merchandise refused delivery to the consignee, or redelivered by the consignee pursuant to a demand therefor, and not exported by the consignee within 90 days after notice of such refusal of delivery or within 90 days after such redelivery, as applicable.

[T.D. 75–194, 40 FR 32322, Aug. 1, 1975, as amended by T.D. 84–213, 49 FR 41168, Oct. 19, 1984]

Chemical Substances in Bulk and as Part of Mixtures and Articles
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Source: Sections 12.118 through 12.127 issued by T.D. 83–158, 48 FR 34739, Aug. 1, 1983, unless otherwise noted.

§ 12.118 Toxic Substances Control Act.
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The importation into the customs territory of the United States of a chemical substance in bulk or as part of a mixture, or article containing a chemical substance or mixture, is governed by the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”) (15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.), and by regulations issued under the authority of section 13(b), TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2612(b)) by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”).

§ 12.119 Scope.
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Sections 12.120 through 12.127 apply to the importation into the customs territory of the United States of chemical substances in bulk and as part of mixtures under TSCA. Sections 12.120 through 12.127 also apply to articles containing a chemical substance or mixture if so required by the Administrator by specific rule under TSCA.

§ 12.120 Definitions.
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Except as otherwise provided below, the terms used in §§12.121 through 12.127 have the meanings set forth for those terms in TSCA.

(a) Article—(1) Article means a manufactured item which:

(i) Is formed to a specific shape or design during manufacture,

(ii) Has end use functions dependent in whole or in part upon its shape or design during the end use, and

(iii) Has either no change of chemical composition during its end use or only those changes of composition which have no commercial purpose separate from that of the article and that may occur as described in §12.120(a)(2); except that fluids and particles are not considered articles regardless of shape or design.

(2) The allowable changes of composition, referred to in §12.120(a)(1), are those which result from a chemical reaction that occurs upon the end use of other chemical substances, mixtures, or articles such as adhesives, paints, miscellaneous cleaners or other household products, fuels and fuel additives, water softening and treatment agents, photographic films, batteries, matches, and safety flares in which the chemical substance manufactured upon end use of the article is not itself manufactured for distribution in commerce or for use as an intermediate.

(b) Chemical substance in bulk form means a chemical substance (other than as part of a mixture or article) in containers used for purposes of transportation or containment, provided that the chemical substance is intended to be removed from the container and has an end use or commercial purpose separate from the container.

§ 12.121 Reporting requirements.
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(a) Chemical substances in bulk or mixtures—(1) Certification required. The importer of a chemical substance imported in bulk or as part of a mixture, or the authorized agent of such an importer, must certify either that the chemical shipment is subject to TSCA and complies with all applicable rules and orders thereunder, or that the chemical shipment is not subject to TSCA, by signing and filing with Customs one of the following statements:


I certify that all chemical substances in this shipment comply with all applicable rules or orders under TSCA and that I am not offering a chemical substance for entry in violation of TSCA or any applicable rule or order thereunder.

I certify that all chemical substances in this shipment are not subject to TSCA.


(2) Filing of certification—(i) General. The appropriate certification required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section must be filed with the director of the port of entry before release of the shipment and, except when a blanket certification is on file as provided for in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, must appear as a typed or stamped statement:

(A) On an appropriate entry document or commercial invoice or on an attachment to that entry document or invoice; or

(B) In the event of release under a special permit for an immediate delivery as provided for in §142.21 of this chapter or in the case of an entry as provided for in §142.3 of this chapter, on the commercial invoice or on an attachment to that invoice.

(ii) Blanket certifications. A port director may, in his discretion, approve an importer's use of a “blanket” certification, in lieu of filing a separate certification for each chemical shipment, for any chemical shipment that conforms to a product description provided to Customs pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)(ii)(A) of this section. In approving the use of a “blanket” certification, the port director should consider the reliability of the importer and Customs broker. Approval and use of a “blanket” certification will be subject to the following conditions:

(A) A “blanket” certification must be filed with the port director on the letterhead of the certifying firm, must list the products covered by name and Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States subheading number, must identify the foreign supplier by name and address, and must be signed by an authorized person;

(B) A “blanket” certification will remain valid, and may be used, for 1 year from the date of approval unless the approval is revoked earlier for cause by the port director. Separate “blanket” certifications must be approved and used for chemical substances that are subject to TSCA and for chemical substances that are not subject to TSCA; and

(C) An importer for whom the use of a “blanket” certification has been approved must include, on the invoice used in connection with the entry and entry summary procedures for each shipment covered by the “blanket” certification, a statement referring to the “blanket” certification and incorporating it by reference. This statement need not be signed.

(b) Chemical substances or mixtures as parts of articles. Each importer of a chemical substance or mixture as part of an article must comply with the certification requirements set forth in paragraph (a) of this section only if required to do so by a rule or order issued under TSCA.

(c) Facsimile signatures. The certification statements required under paragraph (a)(1) of this section may be signed by means of an authorized facsimile signature.

[T.D. 00–13, 65 FR 10704, Feb. 29, 2000]

§ 12.122 Detention of certain shipments.
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(a) The director of the port of arrival shall detain, at the importer's risk and expense, shipments of chemical substances, mixtures, or articles:

(1) Which have been banned from the customs territory of the United States by a rule or order issued under section 5 or 6 of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2604 or 2605) or

(2) Which have been ordered seized because of imminent hazards as specified under section 7 of TSCA (15 U.S.C. 2606).

(b) The director of the port of entry shall detain shipments of chemical substances, mixtures, or articles at the importer's risk and expense, in the following situations:

(1) Whenever the Administrator has reasonable grounds to believe that the shipment is not in compliance with TSCA and notifies the port director to detain the shipment.

(2) Whenever the port director has reasonable grounds to believe that the shipment is not in compliance with TSCA; or

(3) Whenever the importer fails to certify compliance with TSCA as required by §12.121.

(c) Upon detention of a shipment, the port director shall give prompt notice to the Administrator and the importer. The notice shall include the reasons for detention.

(d) A detained shipment shall not be held in the custody of the port director for more than 48 hours after the date of detention. Thereafter, the shipment shall be promptly turned over to the Administrator for storage or disposition as provided for in §§12.127 and 127.28(i), unless previously released to the importer under bond as provided in §12.123(b). Notice of intent to abandon the shipment by the importer shall constitute a waiver of all time periods specified in parts 12 and 127.

§ 12.123 Procedure after detention.
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(a) Submission of written documentation. If a shipment is detained by a port director under §12.122, the importer may submit written documentation to the Administrator with a copy to the port director within 20 days from the date of notice of detention, to show cause why the shipment should not be refused entry. If an importer submits that documentation, the Administrator shall allow or deny entry of the shipment within 10 days of receipt of the documentation, and in any case shall allow or deny entry of the shipment within 30 days of the date of notice of detention.

(b) Release under Bond. The port director may release to the importer a shipment detained for any of the reasons given in §12.122 when the port director has reasonable grounds to believe that the shipment may be brought into compliance, or when the port director deems it appropriate under §141.66 of this chapter. Any such release shall be conditioned upon furnishing a bond on Customs Form 7551, 7553, or 7595 for the return of the shipment to Customs custody. The bond shall be for the full amount required in §113.14 of this chapter. If a shipment of chemical substance, mixture, or article is released to the importer under bond, the shipment shall be held intact and shall not be used or otherwise disposed of until the Administrator makes a final determination on entry as provided for in paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) Determination by the Administrator. After consideration of the available evidence and within 30 days from the notice of detention, the Administrator shall notify the port director and the importer of his decision either to permit or refuse entry of the shipment. If the Administrator finds that the shipment is in compliance with TSCA, the port director shall release the shipment to the importer. If the Administrator finds that the shipment is not in compliance, the port director shall:

(1) Refuse delivery to the importer, giving reasons for such refusal, or

(2) If the shipment has been released on bond, demand its redelivery under the terms of the bond, giving reasons for such demand. If the merchandise is not redelivered within 30 days from the date of the redelivery notice, the port director shall assess liquidated damages in the full amount of the bond.

§ 12.124 Time limitations and extensions.
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(a) Time limitations. The importer of a shipment of chemical substances, mixtures, or articles which has been detained under §12.122 shall bring the shipment into compliance with TSCA or export the shipment from the customs territory of the United States within 90 days after notice of detention or 30 days of demand for redelivery, whichever comes first.

(b) Time extensions. The port director, upon notification by the Administrator, may grant an extension of not more than 30 days if, due to delays caused by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Customs Service:

(1) The importer is unable, for good cause shown, to bring a shipment into compliance with the Act within the required time period; or

(2) The importer is unable to export the shipment from the customs territory of the United States within the required time period.

§ 12.125 Notice of exportation.
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Whenever the Administrator directs the port director to refuse entry under §12.123 and the importer exports the non-complying shipment within the 30 day period of notice of refusal of entry or within 90 days of demand for redelivery, the importer shall give written notice of the fact of exportation to the Administrator and the port director. The importer shall include the following information in the notice of exportation:

(a) The name and address of the exporter or his agent;

(b) A description of the chemical substances, mixtures, or articles exported;

(c) The destination (country);

(d) The port of arrival at the destination;

(e) The carrier;

(f) The date of exportation; and

(g) The bill of lading or the air way bill number.

§ 12.126 Notice of abandonment.
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If the importer intends to abandon the shipment after receiving notice of refusal of entry, the importer shall present a written notice of intent to abandon to the port director and the Administrator. Notification under this section is a waiver of any right to export the merchandise. The importer shall remain liable for any expense incurred in the storage and/or disposal of abandoned merchandise.

§ 12.127 Decision to store or dispose.
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(a) A shipment detained under §12.122 shall be considered to be unclaimed or abandoned and shall be turned over to the Administrator for storage or dispositon as provided for in §127.28(i) of this chapter if the importer has not brought the shipment into compliance with TSCA and has not exported the shipment within time limitations or extensions specified according to §12.124. The importer shall remain liable for any expenses in the storage and/or disposal of abandoned merchandise.

Softwood Lumber From Canada
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§ 12.140 Entry of softwood lumber from Canada.
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The requirements set forth in this section are applicable for as long as the Softwood Lumber Agreement, entered into on May 29, 1996, by the Governments of the United States and Canada, remains in effect.

(a) Encumbrance regarding export permit and export fee. In the case of softwood lumber first manufactured into a product classifiable in subheading 4407.10.00, 4409.10.10, 4409.10.20, or 4409.10.90, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), in the Province of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, or Alberta, the requirement that the Government of Canada issue an export permit and collect the appropriate export fees under the Softwood Lumber Agreement attaches to and encumbers the product when it is imported into the United States. Such imported merchandise remains subject to the encumbrance until the Government of Canada issues an export permit and collects the appropriate fees. The merchandise shall be released by Customs subject to the following conditions: The importer of record assumes an obligation to ensure within 20 working days of release that such export permit is issued by the Government of Canada and to provide sufficient information to satisfy U.S. Customs that the encumbrance no longer attaches or, if the merchandise remains encumbered at the expiration of 20 working days, to pay any liquidated damages assessed under the Customs bond.

(b) Reporting requirements. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (d) of this section, in the case of a softwood lumber product classifiable in HTSUS subheading 4407.10.00, 4409.10.10, 4409.10.20, or 4409.10.90 that is imported from Canada and that was manufactured (that is, subjected to any processing operation other than mere loading, unloading or processing necessary to maintain the condition of the product) in Canada, whether or not such product was previously subjected to any processing operation outside Canada, the following information shall be included on the entry summary, Customs Form 7501, or on an electronic equivalent:

(1) The Canadian province or territory in which the product was first manufactured; and

(2) In the case of a product first manufactured into a product classifiable in HTSUS subheading 4407.10.00, 4409.10.10, 4409.10.20, or 4409.10.90 in the Province of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, or Alberta:

(i) The export permit number issued by the Government of Canada for the product; and

(ii) An indication of the export fee payment status of the product for which the permit was issued according to the following categories:

(A) Category A: No payment of an export fee because the exported product falls within the base amount of 14.7 billion board feet. This category includes products for which the export permit was issued without an indication of the export fee status;

(B) Category B: Payment of the export fee applicable to a product exported in excess of 14.7 billion board feet but not in excess of 15.35 billion board feet;

(C) Category C: Payment of the export fee applicable to a product exported in excess of 15.35 billion board feet;

(D) Category D: No payment of an export fee where the product was exported in excess of 14.7 billion board feet because the average price of a benchmark softwood lumber price exceeds a prescribed trigger price during any quarterly period as determined by the Governments of Canada and the United States. If the issued permit pertains to this category, the specific quarterly period shall also be indicated on the Customs Form 7501 or electronic equivalent;

(E) Category R: Payment of the re-priced lower fee base export fee applicable to certain products first manufactured in British Columbia; or

(F) Category S: Payment of the re-priced upper fee base export fee applicable to certain products first manufactured in British Columbia.

(c) Untimely issuance of export permit. If an export permit for the product has not been issued by the Government of Canada on or before the required date for filing the entry summary documentation as provided in §142.12(b) or §142.23 of this chapter, the importer shall have a maximum of 10 additional working days to file the entry summary documentation setting forth all of the information specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section. If an export permit for the product has not been issued by the Government of Canada within the maximum time period specified in this paragraph, the entry summary or electronic equivalent shall be filed on the next business day and shall be completed in pertinent part as follows:

(1) The export permit number field shall be completed by inserting as many eights as are necessary to complete the field; and

(2) The export fee payment status field shall be completed by inserting an “A” followed by two zeros.

(d) Absence of export permit number and fee status data for certain remanufactured softwood lumber products. In the case of a softwood lumber mill product classifiable in HTSUS subheading 4407.10.00, 4409.10.10, 4409.10.20, or 4409.10.90 that is imported from Canada and that was first manufactured in Canada in the Province of Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, or Alberta, if no export permit for the product is issued by the Government of Canada because the product was previously subjected to processing operations outside Canada, the entry summary, Customs Form 7501, or an electronic equivalent, shall include the Canadian province or territory in which the product was first manufactured and also shall be completed in pertinent part as follows:

(1) The export permit number field shall be completed by inserting as many nines as are necessary to complete the field; and

(2) The export fee payment status field shall be completed by inserting an “A” followed by two zeros.

[T.D. 97–9, 62 FR 8622, Feb. 26, 1997, as amended by T.D. 00–36, 65 FR 33253, May 23, 2000]

Steel Products
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§ 12.145 Entry or admission of certain steel products.
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In any case in which a steel import license number is required to be obtained under regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Commerce, that license number must be included:

(a) On the entry summary, Customs Form 7501, or on an electronic equivalent, at the time of filing, in the case of merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, in the customs territory of the United States; or

(b) On Customs Form 214, at the time of filing under Part 146 of this chapter, in the case of merchandise admitted into a foreign trade zone.

[T.D. 03–13, 68 FR 13839, Mar. 21, 2003]

Merchandise Subject to Economic Sanctions
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§ 12.150 Merchandise prohibited by economic sanctions; detention; seizure or other disposition; blocked property.
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(a) Generally. Merchandise from certain countries designated by the President as constituting a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States shall be detained until the question of its release, seizure, or other disposition has been determined under law and regulations issued by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) (31 CFR Chapter V).

(b) Seizure. When an unlicensed importation of merchandise subject to OFAC's regulations is determined to be prohibited, no entry for any purpose shall be permitted and, unless the immediate reexportation or other disposition of such merchandise under Customs supervision has previously been authorized by OFAC, the merchandise shall be seized.

(c) Licenses. OFAC's regulations may authorize OFAC to issue licenses on a case-by-case basis authorizing the importation of otherwise prohibited merchandise under certain conditions. If such a license is issued subsequent to the attempted entry and seizure of the merchandise, importation shall be conditioned upon the importer:

(1) Agreeing in writing to hold the Government harmless, and

(2) Paying any storage and other Customs fees, costs, or expenses, as well as any mitigated forfeiture amount or monetary penalty imposed or assessed by Customs or OFAC, or both.

(d) Blocked property. Merchandise which constitutes property in which the government or any national of certain designated countries has an interest may be blocked (frozen) pursuant to OFAC's regulations and may not be transferred, sold, or otherwise disposed of without an OFAC license.

(e) Additional information. For further information concerning importing merchandise prohibited under economic sanctions programs currently in effect, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury should be contacted. The address of that office is 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Annex 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20220.

[T.D. 96–42, 61 FR 24889, May 17, 1996]