As the longest United States government shutdown in history continues, importers, exporters and trade agencies are beginning to feel the impacts. Typically, organizations such as the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) would be in high gear. However, many of these agencies are operating at reduced capacity due to the discontinuation of non-essential services.
Right now, the Federal Maritime Commission, Environmental Protection Agency, Foreign Trade Zone Board, ABI Representatives for CBP, Global Entry Lanes (kiosks are still in operation) and Broker Management departments are all reporting temporarily suspended service during the government shutdown.
Primary agencies, including CBP, the TSA, USDA and FDA are reporting reduced staffing during the shutdown.
Websites not being maintained include Customs Regulations, CBP's official website, USTR website, FMC website and the Department of Commerce online steel licensing system. Please note all impacted websites have posted notices that they are not being managed and updated.
As of January 21, 2019, duty refunds are not being processed, including Post Summary Corrections and Duty Drawback claims. Statements, however, are still processing and Protests are being reviewed.
Examples include ITRAC reports.
Automated in bound deployment for February 6, 2019, has been delayed. The updated 5106 form that was originally scheduled for February 19, 2019 implementation is also delayed.
Right now, employers are limited in terms of verifying the identities and employment eligibility of new hires.
Exclusions granted by the USTR will not be implemented until 10 business days after the government shutdown has ended.
All ITA Antidumping and Countervailing investigations have ceased.
At this time, no further exclusion requests are being reviewed by BIS for S232 tariffs. As a result, over 100,000 requests will need to be reviewed by the Department of Commerce once the shutdown ends.
At this time, XRAY, MET and full exams are still being ordered and completed.
The FDA and USDA are still monitoring key imports into the United States. However, they are not monitoring all imports of food, food related items and agriculture.
The Quote Desk is still open and monitoring various quotas. The sugar quota is the next quota; it will be opening on January 23, 2019.
If you have further questions regarding the US government shutdown, please contact us or reach out to your Ascent Global Logistics representative directly. Our team will help answer any questions you many have about imports, exports and trade compliance.