What are the Prior Notice of Imported Foods Entry Types?

What are the Prior Notice of Imported Foods Entry Types?

  • Consumption - PNSI entry type used for imported food going directly into the commerce of the United States without any time or use restrictions placed on them by CBP.  A consumption entry is the most common CBP and PNSI entry type.
  • Consumption (Express Courier) - Same as the Consumption entry type above with consideration made for shipments via Express Couriers who provide a tracking number instead of an Airway Bill Number or Bill of Lading number. This entry type is to be used only by shippers sending articles of food to the United States via express couriers.  It is not to be used by express couriers transmitting prior notice on behalf of their customers.
  • Mail (Commercial purpose) – PNSI entry type for food arriving by international mail for commercial purposes.
  • Mail (Non-commercial purpose/non-commercial sender) – PNSI entry type for food arriving by international mail for non-commercial purposes from non-commercial senders.
  • Informal- PNSI informal entry type covers certain commercial, non-commercial, and mail shipments, dependent on value and other restrictions, that are entered for consumption, i.e. for use or sale. In most cases informal entry can be used if the food is valued at $2000 or less with exceptions for certain food subject to quota/visa restrictions.
  • Baggage – PNSI entry type to be used when food is carried by or otherwise accompanies an individual and the food is for not for the personal use of the individual (for self, family members, or friends).
  • Warehouse – PNSI entry type for imported food sent to a bonded warehouse. Customs duties and processing fees are not paid on warehoused merchandise until the food is withdrawn for consumption. (Customs publication No. 537 explains what a bonded warehouse is, users' costs, different types of bonded warehouses, advantages to importers of using bonded warehouses; plus entry, treatment, and storage procedures for merchandise and how to establish a Customs bonded warehouse.}
  • Foreign Trade Zone – PNSI "entry" type for food admitted into a foreign trade zone (FTZ).  FTZs are secured areas legally outside of Customs territory.  Foreign or domestic food may be admitted into a FTZ without a formal Customs entry or the payment of Custom duties or government excise taxes.
  • Immediate Transportation – PNSI entry type for food that is transported from a port of unlading to another port for entry or disposition under bond.
  • Temporary Importation Bond (TIB) – PNSI entry type for food entering the U.S. temporarily and intended for re-export to the originating county, provided the food exits the United States within a certain amount of time under CBP supervision.
  • Transportation and Exportation – PNSI entry type for food shipped under bond from a U.S. Port of Entry to a second port for the sole purpose of export to another country.
  • Transportation and Exportation (T&E) - Express Courier - Same as the Transportation and Exportation (T&E) entry type above with consideration made for shipments via Express Couriers who provide a tracking number instead of an Airway Bill Number or Bill of Lading number and who do not have to provide the Ultimate Consignee. This entry type is to be used only by shippers sending articles of food to the United States via express couriers. It is not to be used by express couriers transmitting prior notice on behalf of their customers.