List of Records Required for the Entry of Merchandise

General Information

(1) Section 508 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1508), sets forth the general recordkeeping requirements for Customs-related activities. Section 509 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1509) sets forth the procedures for the production and examination of those records (which includes, but is not limited to, any statement, declaration, document, or electronically generated or machine readable data).

(2) Section 509(a)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by title VI of Public Law 103-182, commonly referred to as the Customs Modernization Act (19 U.S.C. 1509(a)(1)(A)), requires the production, within a reasonable time after demand by the Customs Service is made (taking into consideration the number, type and age of the item demanded) if “such record is required by law or regulation for the entry of the merchandise (whether or not the Customs Service required its presentation at the time of entry).” Section 509(e) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by Public Law 103-182 (19 U.S.C. 1509(e)) requires the Customs Service to identify and publish a list of the records and entry information that is required to be maintained and produced under subsection (a)(1)(A) of section 509 (19 U.S.C. 1509(a)(1)(A)). This list is commonly referred to as “the (a)(1)(A) list.”

(3) The Customs Service has tried to identify all the presently required entry information or records on the following list. However, as automated programs and new procedures are introduced, these may change. In addition, errors and omissions to the list may be discovered upon further review by Customs officials or the trade. Pursuant to section 509(g), the failure to produce listed records or information upon reasonable demand may result in penalty action or liquidation or reliquidation at a higher rate than entered. A recordkeeping penalty may not be assessed if the listed information or records are transmitted to and retained by Customs.

(4) Other recordkeeping requirements: The importing community and Customs officials are reminded that the (a)(1)(A) list only pertains to records or information required for the entry of merchandise. An owner, importer, consignee, importer of record, entry filer, or other party who imports merchandise, files a drawback claim or transports or stores bonded merchandise, any agent of the foregoing, or any person whose activities require them to file a declaration or entry, is also required to make, keep and render for examination and inspection records (including, but not limited to, statements, declarations, documents and electronically generated or machine readable data) which pertain to any such activity or the information contained in the records required by the Tariff Act in connection with any such activity, and are normally kept in the ordinary course of business. While these records are not subject to administrative penalties, they are subject to examination and/or summons by Customs officers. Failure to comply could result in the imposition of significant judicially imposed penalties and denial of import privileges.

(5) The following list does not replace entry requirements, but is merely provided for information and reference. In the case of the list conflicting with regulatory or statutory requirements, the latter will govern.

List of Records and Information Required for the Entry of Merchandise

The following records (which include, but are not limited to, any statement, declaration, document, or electronically generated or machine readable data) are required by law or regulation for the entry of merchandise and are required to be maintained and produced to Customs upon reasonable demand (whether or not Customs required their presentation at the time of entry). Information may be submitted to Customs at the time of entry in a Customs authorized electronic or paper format. Not every entry of merchandise requires all of the following information. Only those records or information applicable to the entry requirements for the merchandise in question will be required/mandatory. The list may be amended as Customs reviews its requirements and continues to implement the Customs Modernization Act. When a record or information is filed with and retained by Customs, the record is not subject to recordkeeping penalties, although the underlying backup or supporting information from which it is obtained may also be subject to the general record retention regulations and examination or summons pursuant to 19 U.S.C. 1508 and 1509. (All references, unless otherwise indicated, are to the current edition of title 19, Code of Federal Regulations, as amended by subsequent Federal Register documents.)

I. General list of records required for most entries. Information shown with an asterisk (*) is usually on the appropriate form and filed with and retained by Customs:

§§141.11 through 141.15   Evidence of right to make entry (airway bill/bill of lading or *carrier certificate, etc.) when goods are imported on a common carrier

§141.19   *Declaration of entry (usually contained on the entry summary or warehouse entry)

§141.32   Power of attorney (when required by regulations)

§141.54   Consolidated shipments authority to make entry (if this procedure is utilized)

§142.3   Packing list (where appropriate)

§142.4   Bond information (except if 10.101 or 142.4(c) applies)

Parts 4, 18, 122, 123   *Vessel, Vehicle or Air Manifest (filed by the carrier)

II. The following records or information are required by §141.61 on Customs Form (CF) 3461, or its electronic equivalent, or CF 7533 or the regulations cited. Information shown with an asterisk (*) is contained on the appropriate form and/or otherwise filed with and retained by Customs:

§§142.3, 142.3a   *Entry Number

*Entry Type Code

*Elected Entry Date

*Port Code

§142.4   *Bond information

§§141.61, 142.3a   *Broker/Importer Filer Number

§§141.61, 142.3   *Ultimate Consignee Name and Number/street address of premises to be delivered

§141.61   *Importer of Record Number

*Country of Origin

§141.11   *IT/BL/AWB Number and Code

*Arrival Date

§141.61   *Carrier Code

*Voyage/Flight/Trip

*Vessel Code/Name

*Manufacturer ID Number (for AD/CVD must be actual mfr.)

*Location of Goods-Code(s)/Name(s)

*U.S. Port of Unlading

*General Order Number (only when required by the regulations)

§142.6   *Description of Merchandise

§142.6   *HTSUSA Number

§142.6   *Manifest Quantity

*Total Value

*Signature of Applicant

III. In addition to the information listed above, the following records or items of information are required by law and regulation for the entry of merchandise and are presently required to be produced by the importer of record at the time the Customs Form 7501, or its electronic equivalent, is filed:

§141.61   *Entry Summary Date

§141.61   *Entry Date

§142.3   *Bond Number, Bond Type Code and Surety code

§142.3   *Ultimate Consignee Address

§141.61   *Importer of Record Name and Address

§141.61   *Exporting Country and Date Exported

*I.T. (In-bond) Entry Date (for IT Entries only)

*Mode of Transportation (MOT Code)

§141.61   *Importing Carrier Name

§141.82   Conveyance Name/Number

*Foreign Port of Lading

*Import Date and Line Numbers

*Reference Number

*HTSUS Number

§141.61   *Identification number for merchandise subject to Anti-dumping or Countervailing duty order (ADA/CVD Case Number)

§141.61   *Gross Weight

*Manifest Quantity

§141.61   *Net Quantity in HTSUSA Units

§141.61   *Entered Value, Charges, and Relationship

§141.61   *Applicable HTSUSA Rate, ADA/CVD Rate, I.R.C. Rate, and/or Visa Number, Duty, I.R. Tax, and Fees (e.g. HMF, MPF, Cotton)

§141.61   Non-Dutiable Charges

§141.61   *Signature of Declarant, Title, and Date

*Textile Category Number

§141.83, 141.86   Invoice information which includes, e.g., date, number, merchandise (commercial product) description, quantities, values, unit price, trade terms, part, model, style, marks and numbers, name and address of foreign party responsible for invoicing, kind of currency

Terms of Sale

Shipping Quantities

Shipping Units of Measurements

Manifest Description of Goods

Foreign Trade Zone Designation and Status

Designation (if applicable)

Indication of Eligibility for Special Access Program (9802/GSP/CBI)

§141.89   CF 5523

Part 141   Corrected Commercial Invoice

141.86 (e)   Packing List

177.8   *Binding Ruling Identification Number (or a copy of the ruling)

§10.102   Duty Free Entry Certificate (9808.00.30009 HTS)

§10.108   Lease Statement

IV. Documents/records or information required for entry of special categories of merchandise (the listed documents or information is only required for merchandise entered [or required to be entered] in accordance with the provisions of the sections of 19 CFR [the Customs Regulations] listed). These are in addition to any documents/records or information required by other agencies in their regulations for the entry of merchandise:

§4.14   CF 226 Information for vessel repairs, parts and equipment

§7.3(f)   CBP Form 3229, or its electronic equivalent, Origin certificate for insular possessions Shipper's and importer's declaration for insular possessions

Part 10   Documents required for entry of articles exported and returned:

§§10.1 through 10.6   Foreign shipper's declaration or master's certificate, declaration for free entry by owner, importer or consignee

§10.7   Certificate from foreign shipper for reusable containers

§10.8   Declaration of person performing alterations or repairs

Declaration for non-conforming merchandise

§10.9   Declaration of processing

§10.24   Declaration by assembler Endorsement by importer

§§10.31, 10.35   Documents required for Temporary Importations Under Bond:

Information required, Bond or Carnet

§10.36   Lists for samples, professional equipment, theatrical effects

Documents required for Instruments of International Traffic:

§10.41   Application, Bond or TIR carnet

Note: additional 19 U.S.C. 1508 records: see §10.41b(e)

§10.43   Documents required for exempt organizations

§10.46   Request from head of agency for 9808.00.10 or 9808.00.20 HTSUS treatment

Documents required for works of art

§10.48   Declaration of artist, seller or shipper, curator, etc.

§§10.49, 10.52   Declaration by institution

§10.53   Declaration by importer

USFWS Form 3-177, if appropriate

§§10.59, 10.63   Documents/CF 5125 for withdrawal of ship supplies

§§10.66, 10.67   Declarations for articles exported and returned

§§10.68, 10.69   Documents for commercial samples, tools, theatrical effects

§§10.70, 10.71   Purebred breeding certificate

§10.84   Automotive Products certificate

§10.90   Master records and metal matrices: detailed statement of cost of production

§10.98   Declarations for copper fluxing material

§10.99   Declaration of non-beverage ethyl alcohol, ATF permit

§§10.101 through 10.102   Stipulation for government shipments and/or certification for government duty-free entries, etc.

§10.107   Report for rescue and relief equipment

§10.905   PTPA records that the importer may have in support of a PTPA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's certification

15 CFR part 301   Requirements for entry of scientific and educational apparatus

§10.121   Certificate from the U.S. Department of State for visual/auditory materials

§10.134   Declaration of actual use (When classification involves actual use)

§10.138   End Use Certificate

§§10.171 through 10.178   Documents, etc. required for entries of GSP merchandise, GSP Declaration (plus supporting documentation)

§10.174   Evidence of direct shipment

§10.179   Certificate of importer of crude petroleum

§10.180   Certificate of fresh, chilled or frozen beef

§10.183   Civil aircraft parts/simulator documentation and certifications

§§10.191 through 10.198   Documents, etc. required for entries of CBI merchandise, CBI declaration of origin (plus supporting information)

§10.194   Evidence of direct shipment

§10.199   Documents, etc. required for duty-free entry of spirituous beverages produced in Canada from CBI rum, declaration of Canadian processor (plus supporting information)

§10.216   AGOA Textile Certificate of Origin

§10.226   CBTPA Textile Certificate of Origin and supporting records

§10.228   CBTPA Declaration of Compliance for brassieres

§10.236   CBTPA Non-textile Certificate of Origin and supporting records

§10.246   ATPDEA Textile Certificate of Origin

§10.248   ATPDEA Declaration of Compliance for Brassieres

§10.256   ATPDEA Non-textile Certificate of Origin

†[§10.306   Evidence of direct shipment for CFTA]

†[§10.307   Documents, etc. required for entries under CFTA Certificate of origin of CF 353]

[†CFTA provisions are suspended while NAFTA remains in effect. See part 181]

§10.410   US-CFTA Certification of origin and supporting records.

§10.512   SFTA records that the importer may have in support of a SFTA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's supporting statement if previously required by the port director or Center director before January 19, 2017 or the Center director on or after January 19, 2017.

§10.522   SFTA TPL Certificate of eligibility.

§10.585   CAFTA-DR records that the importer may have in support of a CAFTA-DR claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's certification.

§10.704 US-JFTA records that the importer may have in support of a US-JFTA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's declaration.

§10.723-10.727   AFTA records that the importer may have in support of an AFTA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's supporting statement.

§10.765   MFTA records that the importer may have in support of a MFTA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's declaration.

§10.805   BFTA records that the importer may have in support of a BFTA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's declaration.

§10.820   BFTA TPL certificate of eligibility.

§10.821   BFTA TPL declaration.

§10.848   HOPE Act Declaration of Compliance.

§10.865   OFTA records that the importer may have in support of an OFTA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's declaration.

§10.883   OFTA TPL certificate of eligibility.

§10.884   OFTA TPL declaration.

§10.1005   UKFTA records that the importer may have in support of a UKFTA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's certification.

§10.2003-10.2007   PANTPA records that the importer may have in support of a PANTPA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's certification.

§10.3005   CTPA records that the importer may have in support of a CTPA claim for preferential tariff treatment, including an importer's certification.

§12.6   European Community cheese affidavit

§12.7   HHS permit for milk or cream importation

§12.11   Notice of arrival for plant and plant products

§12.17   APHIS Permit animal viruses, serums and toxins

§12.21   HHS license for viruses, toxins, antitoxins, etc. for treatment of man

§12.23   Notice of claimed investigational exemption for a new drug

§§12.26 through 12.31   Necessary permits from APHIS, FWS & foreign government certificates when required by the applicable regulation

§12.33   Chop list, proforma invoice and release permit from HHS

§12.34   Certificate of match inspection and importer's declaration

§12.43   Certificate of origin/declarations for goods made by forced labor, etc.

§12.61   Shipper's declaration, official certificate for seal and otter skins

§§12.73, 12.80   Motor vehicle declarations

§12.85   Boat declarations (CG-5096, or its electronic equivalent) and USCG exemption

§12.91   FDA form 2877 and required declarations for electronics products

§12.99   Declarations for switchblade knives

§§12.104 through 12.104i   Cultural property declarations, statements and certificates of origin

§§12.105 through 12.109   Pre-Columbian monumental and architectural sculpture and murals

Certificate of legal exportation

Evidence of exemption

§12.110   Pesticides, etc. notice of arrival

§§12.118 through 12.127   Toxic substances: TSCA statements

§12.140(b) and (c)   Canadian-issued Export Permit, Certificate of Origin issued by Canada's Maritime Lumber Bureau.

§12.142   Softwood Lumber Importer Declaration Supporting Documentation, Softwood Lumber Home Packages and Kits Documentation.

§12.152   Kimberley Process Certificate for rough diamonds.

§54.5   Declaration by importer of use of certain metal articles

§54.6(a)   Re-Melting Certificate

§102.25   NAFTA textile requirements

Part 113, Appendix B—Bond to Indemnify Complainant Under Section 337, Tariff Act of 1930, as Amended

Part 114   Carnets (serves as entry and bond document where applicable)

Part 115   Container certificate of approval

Part 128   Express consignments

§128.21   *Manifests with required information (filed by carrier)

§§132.15, 132.17   Export certificates, respectively, for beef or sugar-containing products subject to tariff-rate quota.

§132.18   License, or written authorization, as applicable, for worsted wool fabric subject to tariff-rate quota

§132.23   Acknowledgment of delivery for mailed items subject to quota

§§133.21(e), 133.22(c)(3) and 133.23(e)   Consent from trademark or trade name holder to import otherwise restricted goods

§§134.25, 134.36   Certificate of marking; notice to repacker

§141.88   Computed value information

§141.89   Additional invoice information required for certain classes of merchandise including, but not limited to:

Textile Entries: Quota charge Statement, if applicable including Style Number, Article Number and Product

Steel Entries: Ordering specifications, including but not limited to, all applicable industry standards and mill certificates, including but not limited to, chemical composition.

§143.13   Documents required for appraisement entries Bills, statements of costs of production Value declaration

§143.23   Informal entry: commercial invoice plus declaration

§144.12   Warehouse entry information

§145.11   Customs Declaration for Mail, Invoice

§145.12   Mail entry information (CF 3419 is completed by Customs but formal entry may be required.)

Part 148   Supporting documents for personal importations

Part 151, subpart B   Scale Weight

Part 151, subpart B   Sugar imports sampling/lab information (Chemical Analysis)

Part 151, subpart C   Petroleum imports sampling/lab information Out turn Report 24. to 25—Reserved

Part 151, subpart E   Wool and Hair invoice information, additional documents

Part 151, subpart F   Cotton invoice information, additional documents

§181.22   NAFTA Certificate of origin and supporting records

19 U.S.C. 1356k   Coffee Form O (currently suspended)

Other Federal and State Agency Documents

State and Local Government Records

Other Federal Agency Records (See 19 CFR part 12, 19 U.S.C. 1484, 1499)

Licenses, Authorizations, Permits

Foreign Trade Zones

§146.32   Supporting documents to CF 214

[T.D. 98-56, 63 FR 32946, June 16, 1998]