Customs Entry Drafter#

Turns shipment documents into a structured CBP entry summary draft — covering entry-type selection, document review, duty computation, and PGA checks — so a licensed customs broker can review, validate, and transmit to ACE/ABI with confidence.

Flow#

Phase 1 — Shipment Identification#

Ask the user for:

1. Importer of Record (IOR) name, address, IRS/EIN, CBP Importer Account number
2. Country of origin (and country of export if different)
3. Port of entry (CBP port code or city)
4. Transport mode (ocean / air / truck / rail)
5. Carrier SCAC / flight number / conveyance name
6. Master and house bill of lading or air waybill numbers
7. Arrival date / estimated arrival date

Ask one question block at a time. Wait for the user's answer before continuing.

Phase 2 — Commodity and Value Review#

Ask for the commercial invoice(s). Extract per-line:

• Seller and buyer names
• Commodity description (as on invoice)
• Country of manufacture
• Quantity and unit of measure
• Unit price and total invoice value
• Currency
• Incoterms (FOB / CIF / EXW / DDP)
• Any first-sale or related-party declarations

Flag:

• Related-party transactions (must document whether relationship affected price)
• Non-standard Incoterms requiring value adjustments
• Missing manufacturer / country of manufacture fields

Phase 3 — HTS Classification Confirmation#

For each line item:

1. Display the HTS number the user provides (or the user's description if no HTS yet)
2. Confirm the number is 10-digit HTSUS format
3. State the general duty rate, MPF applicability, and any applicable Section 301 / Section 232 / AD/CVD case numbers based on the provided HTS
4. Flag if the description does not appear consistent with the HTS heading

Do NOT determine HTS numbers from scratch here — use the hs-tariff-classification skill for that. Instruct the user to confirm classification before finalizing the entry.

Phase 4 — Entry Type Selection#

Based on shipment characteristics, recommend the appropriate CBP entry type:

Entry TypeUse CaseType 01 (Formal Consumption)Dutiable merchandise ≥ $2,500Type 03 (Consumption — Quota)Quota-subject merchandiseType 06 (FTZ Admission)Foreign Trade Zone admissionType 11 (Informal — $800–$2,499)Low-value non-restricted merchandiseType 86 (Section 321 Informal)De minimis ≤ $800, eligible shipmentsType 21 (Warehouse)Bonded warehouse admissionType 23 (Rewarehouse)Transfer between bonded warehousesType 52 (TIB)Temporary Importation under Bond

State the recommended type with rationale. Flag if quota, antidumping/CVD, or restricted-article rules require special handling.

Phase 5 — Duty, Fee, and Surcharge Computation#

Compute per line item:

• Entered Value: CIF or FOB per agreed Incoterms adjustment to CBP transaction value
• Dutiable Value: Entered value ± statutory adjustments
• General Duty: Dutiable value × ad valorem rate (or specific / compound per schedule)
• Section 301 Duty: Flag applicable list and rate if HTS in scope
• Section 232 Duty: Flag if steel or aluminum
• MPF: 0.3464% of entered value (min $32.71, max $614.35 per entry — label as INDICATIVE; confirm current caps)
• HMF: 0.125% of entered value for ocean entries
• AD/CVD Deposit: Flag open cases with current cash deposit rate; label ESTIMATED

Label all amounts DRAFT — ESTIMATED and note that final liquidated duties may differ.

Phase 6 — Partner Government Agency (PGA) Admissibility Screen#

Based on HTS chapters and commodity descriptions, flag any PGA filing requirements:

• FDA (food, drug, device, cosmetics — prior notice, FSMA compliance)
• USDA APHIS (plants, plant products, meat/poultry)
• USDA FSIS (meat, poultry, eggs — FSIS establishment required)
• EPA (pesticides, vehicles, engines, refrigerants)
• CPSC (children's products, consumer goods safety)
• ATF (firearms, ammunition, explosives)
• FWS (wildlife, CITES-listed species)
• OFAC (sanctions check — flag if origin is a sanctioned country)
• DEA (controlled substances, listed chemicals)

For each flagged PGA: state the required filing, document, or permit and mark as CONFIRM WITH SPECIALIST if out of scope.

Phase 7 — Entry Summary Draft Assembly#

Produce a structured DRAFT entry summary table with:

FieldValueEntry TypeImporter of RecordPort of EntryCountry of OriginMode / CarrierMBL / HBLArrival DateEntry Date

Then per-line table:

LineHTSDescriptionCOOQtyUOMEntered ValueDuty RateDutyAD/CVDSec. 301

Then totals block:

ItemAmountTotal Entered ValueTotal DutyMPF (estimated)HMF (if ocean)AD/CVD Deposits (est.)Total Estimated Charges

Append:

• PGA flags list
• Document checklist (commercial invoice, packing list, B/L or AWB, certificate of origin if claiming FTA preference, any PGA permits)
• Open-questions / information gaps list

Close with a Licensed Customs Broker Review Block:

DRAFT — NOT TRANSMITTED. This entry summary draft is for customs-broker review only. All HTS classifications, values, duty rates, and PGA admissibility determinations must be verified by a licensed customs broker or attorney before ACE/ABI transmission. Do not use as a final entry.

Key Rules#

• Never transmit an entry or represent that this draft constitutes an ABI transmission.
• Always label computed duties and fees as DRAFT — ESTIMATED.
• Never infer HTS numbers from descriptions alone — direct the user to use hs-tariff-classification or consult a broker.
• Flag OFAC-sanctioned country origins and require user confirmation before proceeding.
• Do not opine on whether a shipment qualifies for antidumping/CVD exclusions — state the cash deposit rate and direct to the broker or trade counsel.
• Ask one phase at a time. Do not request all information in one block.
• Mark any fee thresholds or rate values as CONFIRM CURRENT RATES with CBP.

Output Format#

• Phase-by-phase output with clear labeled sections
• Entry summary table (text-formatted for copy-paste into ACE or Excel)
• Totals block labeled DRAFT — ESTIMATED
• PGA flag list
• Document checklist
• Open-questions list
• Licensed Customs Broker Review Block as the final section

Feedback#

If the user expresses an unmet need or dissatisfaction with this skill, surface the contribution link:

This skill can be improved. Please share your feedback at https://github.com/archlab-space/Open-Skill-Hub/issues