CBP’s New ePetition Process – What Importers Need to Know
If you have received a Notice of Seizure, Notice of Penalty, or Liquidated Damages Incurred and Demand for Payment from CBP, you have the right to seek relief by filing an administrative petition.
If your merchandise is seized, you are provided a Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures (FP&F) case number and assigned a paralegal. The paralegal will send you a “Seizure Notice” – which you have 30 days to respond to via petition. If the Petition is denied, you get a second bite of the apple and can file a “Supplemental Petition”. You can also file an “Offer in Compromise” (OIC) – basically your attempt to negotiate with CBP to settle the case.
If you’ve been through this process before, you know that filing a petition usually involves email and paper files. Not anymore! CBP has now rolled out an online portal that allows companies to file an “ePetition.” The portal also allows petitioners and members of the trade community to look up an existing petition.
As with any new process, there are some common questions around how to properly utilize the portal. Here are some FAQs:
1. Will FP&F prefer the petitions to come from the portal?
Currently, it is an additional tool and importers may continue to mail or email the appropriate FPF mailbox or use the online tool.
2. What is the “Reference ID?”
This is the system assigned ID applicable to each […]


