A. N. Deringer Inc. sent a notice to customers that in June, US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) began billing for the merchandise processing fee (MPF) retroactive increase. The increase, originally announced in HR 2832 on October 21, 2011, became effective November 5, 2011 and made the MPF retroactive to October 1, 2011.

CBP announced in CSMS#12-000275 that some entry summaries (filed prior to October 1, 2011) were erroneously billed the MPF increase, Deringer said. Entry summaries dated on or after October 1, 2011, were subject to an MPF rate of 0.3464 percent, said Deringer. But, prior to that date, the MPF rate was 0.21 percent.

CBP will re-liquidate those entry summaries billed in error to reflect the original MPF rate. Importers that have already paid the incorrect bills will receive a refund. The re-liquidation will also cancel unpaid bills for those entries incorrectly charged the higher MPF rate.

Deringer noted that CBP advises importers to closely monitor their entry summary liquidations and bills for MPF charges that may be incorrect on entries prior to October 1, 2011. Bills received with the incorrect MPF rate should not be paid. CBP will complete the re-liquidation process no later than October 6, 2012.