Sec. 146.35  Temporary deposit in a zone; incomplete documentation.

    (a) General. Temporary deposit of merchandise in a zone is allowed 
in circumstances where the information or documentation necessary to 
complete the Customs Form 214 is not available at the time of arrival of 
merchandise within the jurisdiction of the port. The merchandise will be 
subject to examination as provided in Sec. 146.36.
    (b) Application. An application for temporary deposit will be made 
to the port director on a properly signed and uniquely numbered Customs 
Form 214, annotated clearly ``Temporary Deposit in a Zone''.
    (c) Conditions. Merchandise temporarily deposited under the 
provisions of this section has no zone status and is considered to be in 
the Customs territory. It will:
    (1) Be physically segregated from all other zone merchandise;
    (2) Be held under the bond and at the risk of the operator; and
    (3) Be manipulated only to the extent necessary to obtain sufficient 
information about the merchandise to file the appropriate admission or 
entry documentation.
    (d) Approval. The port director shall approve the application for 
temporary deposit of merchandise in a zone if the provisions of 
paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section are met.
    (e) Submission of Customs Form 214. A complete and accurate Customs 
Form 214 will be submitted, as provided in Sec. 146.32, within 5 working 
days plus any extension granted by the port director, or the merchandise 
shall be placed in general order.