Changes to the In-Bond Process

This final rule adopts, with several changes, proposed amendments to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations regarding changes to the in-bond process published in the Federal Register on February 22, 2012. The in-bond process allows imported merchandise to be entered at one U.S. port of entry without appraisement or payment of duties and transported by a bonded carrier to another U.S. port of entry or other authorized destination provided all statutory and regulatory conditions are met. At the destination port, the merchandise is entered or exported. The changes in this rule, including the automation of the in-bond process, will enhance CBP's ability to regulate and track in-bond merchandise and ensure that in- bond merchandise is properly entered or exported. This document addresses comments received in response to the proposed rule and makes several changes in response to the comments that further simplify and facilitate the in-bond process.