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USA Guide to Customs Duty Drawback 

Customs refers to the regulatory body responsible for monitoring and controlling the flow of goods across international borders. They play a pivotal role in cross border security, enforcing customs laws, ensuring accurate documentation, administration, duties, and taxes are applied to the appropriate goods and that businesses and individuals are compliant with the current trade laws. In the UK, customs refers to the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and in the US, customs refers to Customs Border and Protection (CBP). 

Customs 

A charge imposed on the import of goods. Duties are generally based on the value of the goods (ad valorem duties), some other factor, such as weight or quantity (specific duties), or a combination of value and other factors (compound duties).

Duty

Duty drawback is a refund from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for 99% of the duties paid on imported items that are then exported or used in the manufacturing of goods to be exported. This allows US businesses to compete with other nations that have the ability to produce goods for a lower cost, keeping a balance in the global marketplace.

Duty Drawback 

The Harmonized System (HS) is an international classification system administered by the World Customs Organization. It is used by organizations, importers, exporters and customs to classify goods to ensure accurate duties, taxes, and documentation are applied.

Harmonized System (HS) 

Specially licensed commercial and industrial areas in or near ports of entry where foreign and domestic goods, including raw materials, components, and finished goods, may be brought in without being subject to payment of customs duties.  Goods brought into these zones may be stored, sold, exhibited, repacked, assembled, sorted, graded, cleaned, manufactured, or otherwise manipulated prior to re-export or entry into the country's customs territory. Goods entering an FTZ are included in General Imports but not Imports for Consumption. They are considered Imports for Consumption if they leave the FTZ for domestic consumption.