On March 18, 2020, in Cargo Systems Messaging Service (CSMS) #42065469, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised of potential delays in the receipt and generation of hard copy notices.  According to the CSMS, most import operations are not experiencing delays.  However, FDA encourages the use of the Import Trade Auxiliary Communication System (ITACS) to check current entry status and to receive electronic notices and mitigate potential delays.  Instructions on requesting and using ITACS are in the CSMS.

On March 20, 2020, in CSMS #42092162, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advised of potential delays in processing requests for binding rulings.  Requests requiring a sample in particular are affected.  CBP recommends that all ruling requests be made online at https://erulings.cbp.gov/s/ and include detailed photographs or short videos in lieu of samples where possible.

FDA’s CSMS # 42065469 can be found here:

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-281de3d?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2

CBP’s CSMS #42092162 can be found here:

https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDHSCBP-2824682?wgt_ref=USDHSCBP_WIDGET_2