Informal entry procedures

§ 128.24 Informal entry procedures.
(a) Eligibility. Informal entry procedures may generally be used for shipments not exceeding $2,000 in value which are imported by express consignment operators and carriers. Individual shipments valued at $2,000 or less may be consolidated on one entry. Such procedures, however, may not be used for prohibited or restricted merchandise, merchandise which is subject to a quota or other quantitative restraints, or for any articles precluded from informal entry procedures by virtue of section 498, Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, (19 U.S.C. 1498).

(b) Procedures. Customs Form 3461, appropriately modified to cover all importations under the special procedures contained in this part, shall be submitted prior to the commencement of hub or express consignment carrier facility operations. The party who may make entry under §143.26 of this chapter may submit a copy of the invoice or the advance manifest as described in §128.21 in lieu of other control documents.

(c) Alternative procedure. The party who may make entry under §143.26 of this chapter may be required to submit an individual Customs Form 3461 covering the eligible shipments on a daily basis or by flight basis. Commercial invoices or advance manifests shall be attached to the Customs Form 3461 which will contain the entry number and such other information deemed necessary by the port director. A notation shall be placed on the Customs Form 3461 that the entry covers multiple shipments.

(d) Entry summary. An entry summary (Customs Form 7501) must be presented in proper form, and estimated duties deposited within 10 days of the release of the merchandise under either the regular or alternative procedure described in this section