U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has recently issued Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) 17-000521 and 17-000528 providing guidance for importers and exporters during Hurricane Harvey at certain affected Texas ports.

CBP has advised the following steps should be taken for importers and exporters that have goods moving in or out of ports, 2101, 5309, 5310, and 5311 as these ports are closed until at least Friday, September 1, 2017.

For Exporters:

• Any export cargo that can be diverted from these ports is encouraged. Electronic Export Information (EEI) filings should try to be amended with updated port and date of export
• Determine if any damage occurred prior to amending an EEI
• EEIs should try to be amended if any changes to quantity or value of the export
  • “If the amendment is not successful, please contact Outbound Enforcement at OFO-Export-Cargo@cbp.dhs.gov and provide the following information: the ITN the license number, the corrected quantities and value for each controlled commodities (including the ITAR data elements).”

For Importers where vessels have been diverted:

• No changes or updates are required if the entry and summary had previously been filed at the original port
• If a certified summary has been filed, no changes or updates are required
• “The entry had already been filed at the original port (e.g. Houston), but the summary had not been filed. In this case, it is recommended to file the summary using the same entry port as the entry was filed”
• File at the diverted port when neither the entry or summary has been filed at the original port

The CSMS can be accessed at:

https://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=22929&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby=

https://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=22922&page=&srch_argv=&srchtype=&btype=&sortby=&sby=