Drawback
Duty Drawback
Drawback programs may obtain significant revenue savings, which would otherwise go untapped as business expenses.
However, drawback is a complex area with the risk of large penalties due to improper filings, record management, or transaction structure. We help minimize such legal risks by structuring and implementing drawback programs to the maximize benefits to our clients.
What is drawback?
Historically the word drawback has denoted a situation in which a duty or tax that has been lawfully collected is refunded or remitted, wholly or partially, because of a particular use made of the commodity on which the duty or tax was collected.
Drawback was initially authorized by the first tariff act of the United States in 1789. Since then it has been part of the law, although from time to time the conditions under which it is payable have changed.
The rationale for drawback has always been to encourage American commerce or manufacturing, or both. It permits American businesses to compete in foreign markets without the handicap of including in its costs, and consequently in its sales price, the duty paid on imported merchandise.
Drawback Resources
Information on duty drawback can be found by clicking on any of the following topics:
• Customs statute for duty drawback:
19 U.S.C. Section 1313
19 U.S.C. Section 1313a
• Customs regulations for duty drawback:
19 C.F.R. Section 191
• Customs Informed Compliance Publication on Duty Drawback
Types of Drawback
Several types of drawback are authorized under Title 19 United States Code Section 1313 (19 U.S.C. §1313):
If articles are exported or destroyed, which were manufactured in the United States with the use of imported merchandise, then the duties paid on the imported merchandise used may be refunded as drawback, less one percent, which is retained by Customs to defray costs. (19 U.S.C. §1313(a) the direct identification manufacturing drawback provision)
If both imported merchandise and any other merchandise of the same kind and quality are used to manufacture articles, some of which are exported or destroyed before use, then drawback not exceeding 99 percent of the duty which was paid on the imported merchandise is payable on the exports. It is immaterial whether the actual imported merchandise or the domestic merchandise of the same kind and quality was used in the exported articles. This provision in the Code makes it possible for firms to obtain drawback without the expense of maintaining separate inventories for imported and domestic merchandise. (19 U.S.C. §13131(b), the substitution manufacturing drawback provision)
Some of the more common transactions to which drawback is applied include:
1.Merchandise is exported or destroyed because it does not conform with samples or specifications, or was shipped without the consent of the consignee, then 99 percent of the duties which were paid on the merchandise may be recovered as drawback. (19 U.S.C. §1313(c))
2Certain products manufactured with the use of domestic alcohol are exported or shipped to various island possessions, a drawback of the internal revenue taxes paid on the domestic alcohol may be refunded. (19 U.S.C. §1313(d))
3. Finished Petroleum derivatives (19 U.S.C. §1313(p))
4. Packaging material used to package merchandise exported or destroyed under section 1313(a), (b), (c), or (j), may receive 99 percent of the duties paid on the packaging material as drawback. (19 U.S.C. §1313(q))
How To Obtain Drawback
As most manufacturers are interested in sections 131 3(a) and (b), only the procedures for obtaining drawback under these provisions are discussed. The purpose of drawback is to enable a manufacturer to compete in foreign markets. To do so, however, the manufacturer must know, prior to making contractual commitments, that he will be entitled to drawback on his exports. The drawback procedure has been designed to give the manufacturer this assurance and protection.
MANUFACTURING DRAWBACK RULINGS
To obtain drawback, a manufacturer or producer of articles intended to be claimed for drawback must first apply for a manufacturing drawback ruling. There are two types of manufacturing drawback rulings: (1) General and (2) Specific.
General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling
General manufacturing drawback rulings are provided for in Section 191.7, of the Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. §191.7) and are designed to simplify drawback for certain common manufacturing operations. These rulings are contained in Appendix A to Part 191, Customs Regulations 19 C.F.R. Part 191) and include the following:
1. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) (T.D. 81-234; T.D. 83-123)
2. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) or 1313(b) for Agents (T.D. 81-181)
3. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) for Burlap or Other Textile Material (T.D. 83-53)
4. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) for Component Parts (T.D. 81-300)
5. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) for Flaxseed (T.D. 83-80)
6. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) for Fur Skins or Fur Skin Articles (T.D. 83-77)
7. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) for Orange Juice (T.D. 85-110)
8. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) for Petroleum or Petroleum Derivatives (T.D. 84-49)
9. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) for Piece Goods (T.D. 83-73)
10. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) for Raw Sugar (T.D. 83-59)
11. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) for Steel (T.D. 81-74)
12. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(b) for Sugar (T.D. 81-92)
13. General Manufacturing Drawback Ruling Under 19 U.S.C. 1313(a) for Woven Piece Goods (T.D. 83-84)
A manufacturer or producer engaged in an operation that falls within a published general manufacturing drawback ruling may submit a letter of notification of intent to operate under that general ruling. Letters of notification of intent to operate under a general manufacturing drawback ruling must be submitted to any drawback office where drawback entries will be filed and liquidated, provided that the general manufacturing drawback ruling will be followed without variation. If there is any variation in the general manufacturing drawback ruling, the manufacturer or producer shall apply for a specific manufacturing drawback ruling under Section 191.8.
Specific Manufacturing Drawback Ruling
Where a manufacturer or producer cannot follow any one of the prescribed general manufacturing rulings without variation, the manufacturer or producer must apply for a specific manufacturing drawback ruling under Section 191.8. Sample formats for specific manufacturing drawback rulings are contained in Appendix B to Part 191, Customs Regulations (19 C.F.R. Part 191).
An application for a specific manufacturing drawback ruling must be submitted, in triplicate, to:
U.S. Customs Service Headquarters
Duty and Refund Determination Branch
Office of Regulations and Rulings
Washington, DC 20229
Unused Drawback
For unused drawback, no drawback ruling is required but applicant should see a local Customs Drawback Branch (addresses listed below) prior to exportation of the unused articles to be claimed for drawback.
Completion of Drawback Claims
Claims must be filed within 3 years after exportation of the articles. To avoid being time-barred by the statute of limitations, a claim may be filed before a drawback contract (rate) is effective, although no payments will be made until the contract is approved. For completion of unused drawback claims, see your local Customs Drawback Branch prior to exportation.
Export Procedure
It is necessary for a drawback claimant to establish that the articles on which manufacturing drawback is being claimed were exported within 5 years after importation of the imported merchandise which is the basis for the drawback. In the case of unused drawback, the time period for exportation is 3 years after importation.
Exportation of articles for drawback purposes must be established by complying with one of the procedures provided for in Section 191.72 (in addition to providing prior notice of intent to export if applicable (§§ 191.35, 191.36, 191.42, and 191.91). Supporting documentary evidence must establish fully the date and fact of exportation and the identity of the exporter. The procedures for establishing exportation outlined by this section include, but are not limited to:
1. Actual evidence of exportation consisting of documentary evidence, such as an originally signed bill of lading, air waybill, freight waybill, Canadian Customs manifest, and/or cargo manifest, or certified copies thereof, issued by the exporting carrier;
2. Export summary (§ 191.73);
3. Certified export invoice for mail shipments (§ 191.74);
4. Notice of lading for supplies on certain vessels or aircraft (§ 191.112); or
5. Notice of transfer for articles manufactured or produced in the U.S. which are transferred to a foreign trade zone (§ 191.183).
Export of qualified U.S.-made petroleum products may be shown by matching production at a specific refinery with exports of qualified petroleum products of the same kind and quality that occur within 180 days after the refinery produced the designated petroleum product.
Export of qualified imported petroleum products may be shown by matching the amount imported with exports of qualified petroleum products of the same kind and quality that occur within 180 days after the import. (Section 1313(p) drawback)
Payment of Claims
When a claim has been completed by filing all required documents, the entry will be liquidated by the port director to determine the amount of drawback due. Drawback is payable to the exporter unless the manufacturer reserves to himself the right to claim the drawback.
Accelerated Payment
The privilege to obtain accelerated payment of drawback, under certain conditions, is authorized by Section 192.72. Accelerated payment generally will insure that a claimant will receive his drawback no later than 2 months after he files a claim. Accelerated drawback also applies to unused drawback.
Effect of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
The NAFTA provisions on drawback will apply to goods imported into the United States and subsequently exported to Canada on or after January 1, 1996. The NAFTA provisions on drawback will apply to goods imported into the United States and subsequently exported to Mexico, on or after January 1, 2001.
Under the NAFTA, the amount of Customs duties that will be refunded, reduced or waived is the lesser of the total amount of Customs duties paid or owed on the goods or materials when imported into the United States and the total amount of Customs duties paid or owed on the finished good in the NAFTA country to which it is exported, for purposes of 19 U.S.C. §§1313(a), (b), (f), (h), and (g).
No NAFTA country, on condition of export, will refund, reduce or waive the following: antidumping or countervailing duties, premiums offered or collected pursuant to any tendering system with respect to the administration of quantitative import restrictions, tariff rate quotas or trade preference levels, or a fee pursuant to Section 22 of the U.S. Agricultural Adjustment Act. Moreover, unused substitution drawback (19 U.S.C. 1313(j)(2)) was eliminated as of January 1, 1994.
Drawback Centers
Port of Baltimore
200 St. Paul Place
Baltimore, MD 21202
Port of Miami
6601 W. 25th Street
Miami, FL 331025280
Port of Boston
10 Causeway Street
Boston, MA 022221059
Port of New Orleans
423 Canal Street
New Orleans, LS 70130
Port of Chicago
610 S. Canal Street
Chicago, IL 606074523
Port of New York
6 World Trade Center
New York, NY 10048
Port of Houston
1717 East Loop
Houston, TX 77029
Port of San Francisco
PO Box 2450
San Francisco, CA 94126
(Federal Express address:
555 Battery Street
San Francisco, CA 94111)
Port of Los Angeles
Long Beach Seaport Area
300 S. Ferry Street
Terminal Island, CA 90731
DrawBack means duty refund.
Time Span: Goes back 3 years
Max duty refund: 99% duty paid excludes MPF & HMF
Do not export your merchandise, you must file:
Notice of intent to export, destroy or return merchandise for purpose of drawback (CF 7553)"
before you ship out any merchandise, otherwise no duty refunds!
Drawback procedure includes 4 phases:
Phase I: (2 to 3 days)
- Drawback claimant need fax the drawback request letter w/export invoices and packing list to PCCS.
- Claimant must identify against which imported entry and which specific merchandise? Partial or all?
- PCCS will prepare the "Notice of Intent to export, destroy, or return (CF7553)" and submit CF7553 to Dock Exam Team of U.S. Customes for review.
- Customs will either examine the shipment or waive the exam and send back CF7553 to PCCS
Phase II: (3 to 5 days)
- Received signed CF7553 from Customs Dock Exam Team.
- Fax CF7553 to notify claimant whether or not customs exam is required.
- If exam waived, then claimant can book with carrier for export.
- If customs wants to exam, merchandise must be ready for Customs Exam.
Phase III: (2 weeks)
Claimant MUST provide export documentations, which include the following:
- Original and signed Master B/L or MAW.
- Original and signed House B/L or HAWB.
- Original and signed Truck B/L (if applicable). For export to Canada:
- Customs needs Canadian B3 Form.
- For export to Mexico: Customs needs stamped Mexico Import Entry
- Explanation letter why is export if customs requested.
- Original export invoice & packing list.
- CF7552 Certificate of Delivery (CD) if refund to 3rd party.
- Export declarations if you have.
Phase IV: (4 to 6 months)
- If drawback branch approved the refund, the liquidation may take 4 to 6 months.
- Most denied drawbacks are due to incomplete or lack of export documentation.
- Drawback refund check will be issued from National Finance Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
- If claimant's address has been changed and refund check becomes undeliverable, then trace the check takes 2 to 4 months and customs only accept by written request.