[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8329-8330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4078]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service


Extension of and Changes to the General Program Test Regarding 
Post Entry Amendment Processing

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: General notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document announces that the general program test 
regarding post entry amendment processing is being extended for a one 
year period. The document also announces minor modifications to the 
test: a database enhancement that permits participants to use any 
Microsoft Word software to interface with Customs database and a change 
of the location to where quarterly reports should be mailed. Also, the 
document announces that the database program name has changed to ``Post 
Summary Adjustment.'' Except for these changes, the test will continue 
to operate in accordance with the notice published in the Federal 
Register on November 28, 2000.

DATES: The test allowing post entry amendment to entry summaries is 
extended to December 31, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Debbie Scott (202/927-1962) or Don 
Yando (Chief; 202/927-1082), Entry and Drawback Management Branch, 
Office of Field Operations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 8330]]

Background

    Customs announced and explained the post entry amendment processing 
test in a general notice document published in the Federal Register (65 
FR 70872) on November 28, 2000. That notice announced that the test 
would commence no earlier than December 28, 2000, and run for 
approximately one year. On January 7, 2002, Customs published a general 
notice in the Federal Register (67 FR 768) extending the test for a one 
year period to December 31, 2002.
    The test allows importers to amend entry summaries (not informal 
entries) prior to liquidation by filing with Customs either an 
individual amendment letter upon discovery of an error or a quarterly 
tracking report covering any errors that occurred during the quarter. 
The November 28, 2000, general notice explained how to file post entry 
amendments for revenue related errors and non-revenue related errors 
and the consequences of misconduct by importers during the test. It 
also provided that there are no application procedures or eligibility 
requirements.
    This document announces that the test is being extended to December 
31, 2003. To participate in the test, an importer need only follow the 
procedure for making a post entry amendment set forth in the November 
28, 2000, general notice.
    In addition, based on comments received in response to the November 
28, 2000, general notice and Customs evaluation of the program, Customs 
is making two changes to the test. The first pertains to the kind of 
software that is required to participate in the test. Up to now, a test 
participant needed Microsoft Word 97 or 98 to interface with the 
program database. Now, due to an enhancement of the database, a 
participant may use any Microsoft Word software to interface with the 
database.
    The second change pertains to the mailing of quarterly reports to 
Customs. Up to now, quarterly reports were mailed to Customs 
Headquarters. Now, these reports must be mailed to the port director of 
the port of entry handling the entry summaries involved.
    Both of these changes are effective upon publication of this 
document in the Federal Register.
    Finally, Customs notes that the name for the test under the 
database has been changed from ``Post Entry Amendment'' to ``Post 
Summary Adjustment.'' The test program itself will continue to be known 
as the ``Post Entry Amendment'' (or PEA) test program. Customs also 
notes that the test may be further extended if warranted. Additional 
information on the post entry amendment procedure can be found under 
``Importing and Exporting'' at http://www.customs.gov.

    Dated: February 12, 2003
Jayson P. Ahern,
Assistant Commissioner; Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 03-4078 Filed 2-19-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P