Notice of Intent to Export, Destroy, or Return Merchandise for Purposes of Drawback

A Notice of Intent to Export, Destroy, or Return Merchandise for Purposes of Drawback (CBP Form 7553) is a key step in the process of claiming the Rejected Merchandise Drawback.

This form must be submitted to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allow CBP to examine a rejected duty-paid import and determine if it warrants a duty rebate before it is exported or destroyed.

Submitting a Notice of Intent to Export, Destroy, or Return Merchandise

There are two slightly different rules for this process, depending on whether a claimant is submitting the form for purposes of destroying merchandise, or for purposes of exporting or returning merchandise for purposes of drawback.

If the claimant wishes to destroy the merchandise, then the form must be filed no less than seven working days before the intended date of destruction and must outline when and where the destruction will take place. If the merchandise will be returned or exported, the form must be filed at least 5 working days before the intended export date.

In both cases, the notice must be filed at the port where the CBP examination is planned to take place. After 2 working days for export and 4 working days for destruction, CBP will notify the designated person if an examination of the merchandise is needed.

If the merchandise is exported or destroyed before these periods, then the drawback will be automatically denied. But if CBP does not provide a timely response within these timeframes, the claimant may export or destroy the merchandise without automatically voiding the drawback application.