After a shutdown that lasted over two weeks, the U.S. government reopened on Thursday October 17^th.  Trade support offices are now open and websites that were previously suspended are now operational, including the Harmonized Tariff Schedule on the International Trade Commission’s site, which seemed to cause the most consternation.

The International Trade Administration sent out a notice yesterday advising the trade community to immediately discontinue the use of temporary license numbers (STEELX103 and STEELOCTX).  Reverting back to original operations, applicants must log into the system and apply electronically.  You will not be required to obtain a permanent license number for entries processed during the government shutdown period of October 1, 2013 through October 16, 2013.

The trade should bear in mind that after a hiatus of 16 days, it will take the government some time to clear the backlog of work that accumulated during that period.