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Since Sept. 11th, U.S. customs have instigated increased awareness of all shipments entering the United States.
As a result, import documentation is being checked thoroughly. Documents incomplete or incorrect will be rejected and shipments placed “on hold” incurring demurrage charges.
It is imperative that before sending cargo that you ensure the shipper has “status” in the United States and is eligible to send household goods into the United States. Please verify that if the shipper is not a returning resident, that shipper has a valid visa or visa waiver and proof of property ownership if required under shipper’s status.
If in doubt, please contact Sentry International or your local U.S. Consulate immediately.
Most shipments entering the United States are subject to x-ray procedure. An increasing number of containers are randomly selected for “physical” inspection. This will incur delays in customs clearance, resulting in demurrage and/or per diem charges.
Currently customs clearance will take on average between 4 – 10 days from date of arrival.
We suggest that all import documentation, i.e. 3299, supplemental declaration, power of Attorney, CLEAR passport photo, copy of visa, is forwarded to our office at least seven (7) days prior to arrival of the shipment.
ALL “NON-US” CITIZENS MUST BE IN THE UNITED STATES WHEN SHIPMENT ARRIVES
COMPLETING U.S. CUSTOMS FORM 3299
The following pages contain instructions for a U.S. Customs Form 3299 which you will be required to complete and sign to clear your unaccompanied personal affects and household goods through U.S. Customs.
PART I
You (the shipper) must complete the following sections of Part I of form 3299.
1. Importer’s (your) name
2. Date of birth
3. Date of arrival (the date you arrived in the United States)
4. U.S. address
5. Port of arrival (the port at which the importer first arrived in the United States)
6. Name of arriving airline and flight
7. Name(s) of accompanying household member(s)
You are not required to complete Section 8, Part I of the form.
PART II
9. Residency. This Section is used to indicate your previous and present residency status.
10. Statement(s) of eligibility for free entry of articles. You must declare the items for which you seek duty-free entry.
PART III
If your shipments are not moving under a Government Bill of Lading (military), you are not required to complete Part III or form 3299.
PART IV
In Part IV, you must mark all the applicable boxes and declare any of the following items contained in your shipment.
1. Articles for the account of other persons (gifts)
2. Articles for sale or commercial use
3. Firearms and/or ammunition
4. Alcoholic beverages of all types or tobacco products
5. Fruits, plants, seeds, meats, or birds
6. Fish, wildlife, or animal products
7. Foreign household effect acquired abroad and used less than one year
8. Foreign-made articles acquired in the United States and taken abroad on this trip or acquired abroad on another trip that was previously declared to U.S. Customs
9. Articles taken abroad which were altered or repaired overseas
Part IV, Section D, requires that you list any of the items declared in Part IV, items 1-7, and then provide customs with a description and a value of this merchandise.
PART V
You are not required to complete Part V.
PART VI
You must sign form 3299 in Part VI, Section 2, and date the form in Part IV, Section 3. The completed, signed form should be mailed to Sentry International. Without the completed form, Sentry International will not be able to arrange customs clearance.
If you have questions, please contact Sentry International. Our contact numbers are as follows:
Tel: 1-800-866-8311
(904) 858-1202
Fax: (904) 858-1284
OTHER REQUIRED PAPERWORK
Supplemental Customs Form
In addition to Customs Form 3299, you should also complete the Supplemental Declaration for unaccompanied Personal and Household Effects.
Be sure to complete items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9.
If you are a residential alien, complete item 6.
If you are a corporate transferee, complete items 10, 11, 13, 14.
You are not required to complete items 15 and 16.
At item 17, check “Importer.”
Sign the form at line 18.
Power of Attorney
It’s always best to complete a Power of Attorney form. If one is not completed, you will need to be present at customs for your shipment to clear.
To complete the Power of Attorney form, mark the box “Individual” in the upper right corner. Print your name in the first blank on the form. Then skip to the bottom where it reads “has caused these presents to be sealed and signed: (Signature) .”
Write your name and date the form on the next line to the right. Any co-worker, friend, or family member can sign as a “Witness.”
The form does not have to be notarized.
Also required:
1. Copy of Work Visa.
2. Copy of Passport (Visa page, and clear and legible copy of photo page) |
