What is the purpose of Customs Form 3499?

The Customs Form 3499 serves the purpose of facilitating the entry of goods into the United States by providing necessary information to customs officials. It is primarily used to declare information about imported merchandise and to initiate the import process.

In the context of the options presented, the form is vital for properly documenting what is being imported and allows customs officials to verify the details of the shipment. By allowing officials to open a box to retrieve an invoice or verify the product, the form plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with customs regulations and assessing any duties or taxes that may apply. This helps maintain the integrity of the customs process and ensures the proper documentation of imports.

Other options relating to the notification of missing documents or the request for inspections don’t align with the specific functions and intended use of Customs Form 3499, as the form is not used for these purposes.