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What regulations apply to importing toxic or hazardous substances ( i.e., chemicals, petroleum)?
The importation of toxic chemical substances is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Commercial imports of chemical substances must comply with the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). To find out whether a chemical you wish to import is subject to any rules or orders under Sections 5, 6, or 7 of TSCA, you may wish to contact the TSCA Assistance Information Service at (202) 554-1404 / TDD (202) 554-0551 / email: tsca-hotline@epa.gov. All importations of chemicals require a TSCA statement. The importer is required to certify either that the shipment is subject to TSCA and complies with all applicable rules and orders, or that the chemical shipment is not subject to TSCA by filing and signing with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) one of the following statements: I certify that all chemical substances in this shipment comply with all applicable rules or orders under TSCA and that I am not offering a chemical substance for entry in violation of TSCA or any applicable rule or order there under. I certify that all chemical substances in this shipment are not subject to TSCA. The statement must be typed or stamped on an appropriate entry document or commercial invoice or an attachment to that entry document or invoice. CBP must have the statement in order to release the shipment. The importer can submit the statement with every entry or write the port director and request that they use a "blanket" certification, which will cover various entries. If approved by the port director, a "blanket" certification is valid for 1 year from the date of approval. A "blanket" certificate must be on file with the port director on the letterhead of the certifying firm, and must list the products covered by name, the HTS numbers, must identify the foreign supplier by name and address, and must be signed by an authorized person. Duty rates and HTS numbers for chemicals can be found in chapters 27,28,29 and 38 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Products that contain chemicals and toxic substances can be found in chapters 30 through 37. The Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registers chemicals and assigns a number, which is referred to as a CAS number. All chemicals do not have a CAS number, but the majority of them do. CAS numbers are a convenient way of identifying chemicals with more than one name. Chemicals have a structural name and a common commercial name (e.g. 2,4 para-dinitrobenzene also known as moth balls). The CAS maintains the TSCA Inventory and can provide the most current information on a chemical. You can contact them at (800) 631-1884 or (614)447-3600 ext 2308, and they will conduct a search over the phone for a fee. Information is provided within 24 hours of a search request. CAS also sells an electronic version of the TSCA Inventory which is updated every six months. For more information go to http://www.cas.org.
Customs & Border Protection (CBP), Department of Homeland Security
http://www.cbp.gov/
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