Effect of issuance of special permit for immediate delivery or filing entry documentation before presentation of entry summary—(1) Requirements for release. Quota-class merchandise shall not be released upon filing entry documentation before the proper presentation of an entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, pursuant to § 132.1 of this part. However, quota-class merchandise may be released under a special permit for immediate delivery in accordance with § 142.21(e) of this chapter.

Effect of release under immediate delivery. Release of quota-class merchandise under a special permit for immediate delivery before proper presentation of an entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, pursuant to § 132.1 of this part, shall not accord merchandise any quota priority or status or entitle it to any other quota benefit.

Effect of inadvertent release. Inadvertent release under a special permit for immediate delivery, or upon filing entry documentation, before proper presentation of an entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, pursuant to § 132.1 of this part, shall not accord the merchandise any quota priority or status or entitle it to any other quota benefit.

Procedures following inadvertent release—(i) Quota nearing fulfillment. If quota-class merchandise is released inadvertently under a special permit for immediate delivery, or under entry documentation, before the proper presentation of an entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, pursuant to § 132.1 of this part, and the quota is nearing fulfillment:

An authorized CBP official may demand the return to Customs custody of the released merchandise in accordance with § 141.113 of this chapter;

The Center director shall require the timely presentation to CBP, either at the port of entry or electronically, of the entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, with the estimated duties attached;

The port director may assess liquidated damages under the bond on Customs Form 301, containing the basic importation and entry bond conditions set forth in § 113.62 of this chapter in an amount equal to the value of the merchandise, plus estimated duties (computed at the over-quota rate for tariff-rate quota merchandise), if the merchandise is (1) released before presentation of an entry summary for consumption or a withdrawal for consumption, with estimated duties attached; (2) the merchandise is not returned to Customs custody within 30 days from the date of demand for redelivery; or (3) the entry summary for consumption, or the withdrawal for consumption, with estimated duties attached, is not presented timely; and

The Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer may cancel the claim for liquidated damages if he is satisfied by the evidence that release was due to causes wholly beyond the control of the importer, that no act or omission on the part of the importer formed the basis for the release, and that there was no intent on the part of the importer to evade any law or regulation. The port director also may cancel the claim for liquidated damages if the merchandise is redelivered to Customs custody within 30 days from the date of the demand, or if the entry summary for consumption, or withdrawal for consumption, with estimated duties attached, is presented timely.

Quota not nearing fulfillment. If quota-class merchandise is released inadvertently under a special permit for immediate delivery, or under entry documentation, before the proper presentation of an entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, pursuant to § 132.1 of this part, and the quota is not nearing fulfillment:

The Center director shall require the timely presentation to CBP, either at the port of entry or electronically, of the entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, with estimated duties attached;

The port director may assess liquidated damages under the bond on Customs Form 301, containing the basic importation and entry bond conditions set forth in § 113.62 of this chapter in an amount equal to the value of the merchandise, plus estimated duties (computed at the over quota-rate for tariff-rate quota merchandise), if the merchandise is:

Released before presentation of an entry summary for consumption, or a withdrawal for consumption, with estimated duties attached; or

If the entry summary for consumption, or the withdrawal for consumption with estimated duties attached, is not presented timely; and

The Fines, Penalties, and Forfeitures Officer may cancel the claim for liquidated damages if he is satisfied by the evidence that the release was due to causes wholly beyond the control of the importer, that no act or omission on the part of the importer formed the basis for release, and that there was no intent on the part of the importer to evade any law or regulation. The port director also may cancel the claim for liquidated damages if the entry summary for consumption, or withdrawal for consumption, with estimated duties attached, is presented timely.

Permit of delivery—(1) Effect of filing. The issuance of a permit of delivery shall not accord the merchandise any quota priority or status nor entitle it to any other quota benefit.

Time of issuance—(i) Absolute quota merchandise. A permit of delivery for merchandise subject to an absolute quota shall not be issued before a determination of the quota status of the merchandise.

Tariff-rate, quota merchandise. A permit delivery for merchandise subject to a tariff-rate quota shall not be issued before a determination of the quota status of the merchandise unless estimated duties are deposited at the over-quota rate of duty.