Customs has issued a notice announcing that the QPP test will be expanded to all ports effective October 9, 2002. The program provides for electronic processing of certain quota-class apparel prior to its arrival. The test is set to run until December 31, 2004.

The idea behind the program is that certain quota entries are handled in a manner similar to non-quota items requiring preliminary review. Participants in the program are allowed to submit eligible quota entries to Customs up to five days prior to vessel arrival or after the wheels are up on air shipments.

All of the details on exactly how to apply and to whom in the new ports has yet to be worked out. Once that information is available we will update our web site accordingly.

The test allows for acceptance of consumption entries of apparel merchandise subject to quota (types 02 and 07) that meet the following criteria:

-The entry must contain at least one line classifiable in HTS chapter 61 or 62.

-The quota category for the line must be less than 90% full.

-The entry must be filed through ABI.

-Payment must be made through ACH.

-The carrier must be operational on the Automated Manifest System.

For an importer entering merchandise at a land border port where an AMS carrier is not available, the importer may transmit the estimated date of arrival for the quota shipment to Customs through ABI when transmitting the entry/entry Summary data for the shipment.

We expect additional information to be available in the near future. At that time we will update this notice.