Country Entry Documentation Requirements
WASHINGTON, July 6, 2006- The Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is updating eligible country entry documentation requirements of export programs. The update adds an additional form of proof of entry documentation for the Export Credit Guarantee Program (GSM-102), the Supplier Credit Guarantee Program (SCGP), the Export Enhancement Program (EEP) and the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) deemed acceptable by the General Sales Manager of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service. This notice replaces PR 0308-96, dated July 18, 1996.
In recent years, some container lines have begun offering web-based tracking services, showing such information as the date when the container was received, the date it was loaded on board a ship, the vessel/voyage number, the date when the container was discharged from the vessel, and the date the container was released to the customer. Such information can be tracked by booking number, Bill of Lading number or container number.
The USDA/CCC determined that such tracking information showing arrival in the country of discharge would be an acceptable form of proof of entry documentation when accompanied by a copy of the Bill of Lading showing the quantity, kind, type, grade and/or class of the agricultural commodity. These documents, taken together, must be linked by a common identifier(s) and must contain all information required by the regulations related to proof of entry documentation. In addition, this tracking information must either be signed/endorsed by the vessel company/owner, or the exporter must obtain confirmation that the USDA/CCC would have access to the vessel company/owner for the purposes of performing an independent verification of the documentation for the time period specified in the regulations.
Under GSM-102 and SCGP, exporters are required to maintain proof of entry documentation for a period of five years after the date of expiration of the payment guarantee (7 C.F.R. 1493.140(e) for GSM-102 and 1493.530(e) for SCGP). Failure of the exporter to maintain and provide access to the required entry documentation (which meets the requirements of 7 C.F.R. 1493.100(b) for GSM-102 and 1493.490(b) for SCGP) could result in the exporter being held liable for the amount of any claims paid by the CCC under the guarantee, or being subject to other administrative actions.
Under EEP and DEIP, the required entry documentation (which meets the requirements of 7 C.F.R. 1494.401(f)(2)) must be provided to USDA or CCC before agreements can be determined to be completed and exporters’ performance security released. Failure to provide such documentation could result in the recoupment of any bonus paid to the exporter, the assessment of liquidated damages against the exporter, and/or other administrative actions.