12.11—Requirements for entry and release.
(a)
The importer or his representative shall submit to the director of the port of first arrival, for each entry of plants or plant products requiring a plant quarantine permit, a notice of arrival for any type of entry except rewarehouse and informal mail entries. Such notice shall be on a form provided for the purpose by the Department of Agriculture. The director of the port of arrival shall compare the notice of arrival which he receives from the importer or his representative with the shipping documents, certify its agreement therewith, and transmit it, together with any accompanying certificates or other documents pertaining to the sanitary status of the shipment, to the Department of Agriculture. The merchandise may not be moved, stored, or otherwise disposed of until the notice of arrival has been submitted and release for the intended purpose has been authorized by an inspector of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs.
(b)
Where plant or plant products are shipped from the port of first arrival to another port or place for inspection or other treatment by a representative of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs and all Customs requirements for the release of the merchandise have been met, the merchandise shall be forwarded under a special manifest (Customs Form 7512) and in-bond labels or Customs seals to the representative of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine Programs at the place at which the inspection or other treatment is to take place. No further release by the port director shall be required.