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Foreign Trade
[an error occurred while processing this directive] Foreign Trade › Regulations › Self-Disclosure
Voluntary Self-Disclosure Guidelines
Voluntary Self-Disclosure
A voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) is a narrative account with supporting documentation that describes violations or suspected violations of the Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR). A VSD reflects due diligence in detecting, and correcting potential violation(s) when required information was not reported or when incorrect information was provided that violates the FTR.
VSDs must be submitted in writing, on company letterhead, and addressed to:
Chief, International Trade Management Division
U.S. Census Bureau
4600 Silver Hill Road, Room 6K032
Suitland, MD 20746 (if sent by courier) or Washington DC 20233 (if sent by USPS)
VSDs should include:
- The kind of violation involved, for example, failure to file EEI, failure to correct fatal errors, failure to file timely corrections;
- Describe all data that was either not reported or reported incorrectly;
- An explanation of when and how the violations occurred;
- The complete identities and addresses of all individual and entities, whether foreign or domestic, involved in the activities giving rise to the violations;
- A description of any mitigating factors;
- Corrective measures taken; and
- ITNs of the missed and/or corrected shipments.
Note: Below is a sample VSD letter that can be used as a guide when preparing a complete VSD. Please be mindful that the sample VSD letter contains specific information for a particular scenario. Refer to FTR section 30.74 to ensure all required items are included when submitting a VSD.