Following is a status summary of the U.S. government as it pertains to trade related departments during the shutdown:
CBP (Customs and Border Protection) – ACE entry processing is business as usual. Entry teams are staffed as usual. Staff of other departments that are not involved in the entry and release process have been furloughed (Refunds, Drawbacks, ACH Application Process, Binding Ruling Processing, Section 301 and USTR Exclusion Requests, Regulatory Audits). CBP’s web site and social media accounts have not been updated during the shutdown.
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) – Operations continue as usual with one exception: FDA in Champlain, NY will have limited staffing (one person) from Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. No staff on Sunday evenings, but the FDA office in VT will cover the port remotely for 4 hours (times aren’t specified).
EPA (Environment Protection Agency) – Closed
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) – Closed (Port investigators are furloughed.)
FWS (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) – Open, but issuance of import/export licenses and Designated Port Exception Permits (DPEP) are suspended for now.
USDA (Department of Agriculture) – Open
For more information, please call Brian Rowe, Director – Customs Compliance & Regulatory Affairs at (905) 882-4880, ext. 213.
