A Courtesy Reference From --

Index To Our General Services
Contact Countryman & McDaniel Legal Services of The Firm Our Staff Attorneys & Law Firm Profile The Cargo Law Network - Lawyers In The U.S. & Most Major Trading Nations Library & Search Engine of The Cargo Letter Search Engine For This Internet Portal - Find Everything You Need Transport Reference Desk - Virtual Transport Library	24 Hour Int'l Vessel Casualties & Pirates Database The Photo Gallery of Cargo Loss - Photos & Lessons Learned Transport Law Navigator - all air, ocean, motor & customs laws Library & Search Engine of The Cargo Letter Mega Portal of Trade & Transport References And Services General Reference Desk - virtual public library Terms & Conditions Required For Use of This Web Site
TRANS CAMS © - over 380 Transport Cams, 40 Satellites, Streaming Video, Transport Sounds, Short Wave Radio & Air Traffic Control! CLICK HERE
TRANS GAMES © - free transport related adventure games that play directly Online ! CLICK HERE

U.S. Customs Duty Drawback

What is Drawback?:

Drawback basically consists of the request for a refund of customs duties paid on imported merchandise -- on the basis of a later exportation (or destruction) of articles somehow connected to the imported merchandise. This concept does not exist in many nations. In the U.S. it does exist under very strict rules.

In the U.S., drawback dates back practically to the dawn of the Republic. In other nations, drawback was recognized, even before the existence of the U.S., as "the most reasonable [encouragement to exportation]." This is how Adam Smith, in his 1776 book, 'The Wealth of Nations', described drawback.

See: "What Every Member of the Trade Community Should Know About: Drawback, A Basic Level Informed Compliance." Publication of the U.S. Customs Service - March 1998

The General Rule in Duty Drawback:

The claimant (original U.S. importer) may recover up to 99% of the duty paid for goods entered into the commerce of the United States, duty paid, and exported out of U.S. Customs territory.

The claim must be filed within three years of the date of exportation. More, duty drawback is disfavored by law. "Disfavored" being a legal term to imply that merits of the procedure must favor the government unless all specific requirements are met -- all specific requirements.

U.S. Customs requires careful attention to detail as the goods must be properly accounted for as either secifically exported (or destroyed).

Each part exported must be cross-referenced back to the importation. To support the claim the drawback specialist must collect and sift through reams of U.S. Customs forms on the entry side, usually dating back many years. In turn, the specialist must collect and confirm that the export documentation sufficiently evidences exportation of:

A.] That specific part number; and

B.] That duty was paid on that specific part number.

NOTE: We are talking about THE SAME GOODS -- NOT SIMILAR GOODS. For drawback you must provide the full evidence that specific, physical goods came in & went out -- dates, numbers, marks -- everything.

The procedure is complicated -- get help. Most experts specialzed in this field charge a percentage of the darawback amount recovered from customs.

 

THE SAFEST COURSE:

Retain The Services of A Licensed U.S. Customs Broker Which Has A Qualified Drawback Department

-- AND --

Accept Your Responsibility To Provide Both Full & Continuing Guidance

* The Cargo Letter does not provide legal advice applicable to specific situations. The information provided is believed generally reliable, but should be confirmed through the current text of cited laws and authorities. It is understood that all laws & authorities are subject to change without notice to the public. Where specific situations or the conduct of your busniess are concerned, it is important to consult your company attorney or advisor directly. The Cargo Letter cannnot be responsible for failure to follow these instructions.

Theme  

The Freight Detective's Air Cargo Central - everything about airfreight

Back To Claims

Back to The Freight Detective

To Search Engines

To General Reference Desk

To Transport Investigations

To The Mega Page of Primary Services

---

 

The Law Offices of Countryman & McDaniel

Eleventh Floor LAX Airport Center

5933 West Century Boulevard

Los Angeles, California, 90045

(310) 342-6500 Voice

(310) 342-6505 Fax

to The Law Offices of Countryman & McDaniel

to The Cargo Letter

 Back To Main Page