The following was taken in part from the NCBFAA:

During an 11:30 AM EDT call with the trade community today, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials stated that the agency remains “open for business” during the government shutdown, with ports of entry fully staffed and operational to clear cargo and carry out other trade-related functions. CBP said it will continue to send out CSMS notices to the trade as normal.

In regards to CBP’s interactions with Partner Government Agencies (PGAs) during the shutdown, CBP stated that it is fully operational and could not speak to any other agency involved with trade. However, CBP noted that if there are issues involving PGAs, the proper protocol is to contact the local PGA official, then the local port CBP official, and lastly CBP’s email at tradeevents@cbp.dhs.gov.

CBP officials also confirmed during the Q&A with the trade that:

• CBP Permit and Corporate Permit payments are not affected.
• Customs Broker’s License Exam (CBLE) is expected to proceed as scheduled; if that changes, CBP will notify the trade.
• CBP will check with the International Trade Commission (ITC) to confirm whether the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) will be updated during the shutdown.
• Permits will continue to be processed as normal.
• Certificate of Label Approval (COLA) waiver applications: The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is furloughed, though CBP will verify the status.
• Refunds will continue to be processed, but it remains unclear whether the Treasury Department will issue them during the shutdown.
• CBP has tools to manage PGA holds, including conditional release or contacting the relevant agency directly to release cargo into the US.
• ACE support remains available to the trade.
• CBP Agriculture operations are not affected; however, CBP cannot speak to other agencies’ furlough plans (e.g., USDA) and advised checking PGA webpages for shutdown protocols.
• CBP trade webinars may be paused during the shutdown.
• Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) and bonded warehouse activation requests will continue to be processed as usual.
• CBP Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FP&F/Revenue) divisions will continue operations as normal, with any changes communicated to the trade.
• The Trade Remedy Branch, Trade Remedy email inbox, and Enforce and Protect Act (EAPA) processes will continue as normal.

Additionally, CBP officials said that the agency will continue to provide import entry guidance as it relates to tariff-oriented Executive Orders from the White House throughout the duration of the government shutdown, adding that recently-announced entry processes for tariffs related to lumber and furniture imports will be ready by October 14th.

At the end of the call, CBP reiterated that it is open for business, and all staff across the agency are at work today. In the event of a prolonged shutdown and if CBP has to make staffing adjustments, it will hold another public call with the trade. RIM logistics, ltd. will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and provide updates as necessary. Please reach out to your RIM representative if you have any further questions.