Customs and Border Protection (CBP) during an Oct. 1 call with the trade that no refunds of any type, including drawback, ACH, etc., are part of the excepted functions currently allowed by the agency during the government shutdown since they’re tied to appropriations.

Generally, refunds are certified/validated by CBP every Tuesday with payments received by trade members two to three days later. So, last Tuesday, Sept. 30, was the first time during which this action did not occur under the shutdown. CBP officials said that if the agency receives different instructions, then it will immediately restart the refund process.

However, the agency emphasized that all its offices in headquarters and at the ports are fully staffed and operational. CBP also reiterated that the trade should consult the PGA websites or their contacts for the agencies in the local ports with their operational questions or concerns.

Here are other key Q&As from the meeting with the trade:

• Is everyone at CBP still working? CBP said “yes,” with no reduction in its workforce that has impacted CBP at this time.
• Examinations and holds for imported ag-related shipments? CBP Ag Specialists are on the job in the ports. The agency said it could not speak for the USDA staff involved in these inspections.
• CTPAT security profiles still be mandatory to submit during this time? CBP said yes that they are still mandatory to submit.
• If this shutdown continues, could PGAs that are operational be included in this call? FWS, USDA, 1USG office, CBP Ag? CBP doesn’t anticipate including PGAs on these trade update calls. However, CBP Ag Specialists are present.
• Update on medium and heavy-duty truck tariffs? CBP cannot provide any updates at this time.
• For applications pending for duty free imports, are the CBP reviewers still working? CBP said if they are being processed either at HQ or in the field, there should not be any impact as long as we don’t see a reduction in force.
• Is the Customs Broker Licensed Exam still set for Oct. 22? CBP said yes.
• Are CBP seizures still functioning normally during shutdown? CBP said yes, with no impact on FP&F.
• What about interests due? Billing receipts due on date on invoice? CBP said all collections are due on time, without exception.
• What about ACE support availability? CBP said all ACE support staff are working.
• Are supplemental duty bills in response to prior disclosures being processed? CBP said FP&F is open for business.
• Will CBP pay interest accrued for refunds delayed for 30-plus delays? CBP said yes.
• Is OR&R processing ruling requests and protests during shutdown? CBP said yes.
• If an importer has an ACH account with CBP, does it need an ACE account? CBP said to ask this on the deployment support call at 1 p.m. ET today.
• Delays on the Northern and Southern borders? CBP said it was not able to identify any delays on the U.S. side.
• Reciprocal duties for samples? CBP said to contact your Client Rep or the Center.
• Are there bond sufficiency impacts? CBP said no and that those notices are being processed.
• Impact on further reciprocal tariffs on furniture and lumber scheduled for Oct. 14? CBP said no delay and the agency is still on track to send guidance through CSMS to the trade.
• Will CBP be operational for themailto:tradeevents@cbp.dhs.gov entire shutdown? CBP said if there are any major changes in its operations during an extended government shutdown, it will schedule a call with the trade.

Further questions from the trade may be emailed to CBP at tradeevents@cbp.dhs.gov.