(a) If an importer of any article detained under § 12.42(e) or (g) desires to contend that the article was not mined, produced, or manufactured in any part with the use of a class of labor specified in section 307, Tariff Act of 1930, he shall submit to the port director or Commissioner of CBP within 3 months after the date the article was imported a certificate of origin, or its electronic equivalent, in the form set forth below, signed by the foreign seller or owner of the article. If the article was mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in a country other than that from which it was exported to the United States, an additional certificate, or its electronic equivalent, in such form and signed by the last owner or seller in such other country, substituting the facts of transportation from such other country for the statements with respect to shipment from the country of exportation, shall be so submitted.

(b) The importer shall also submit to the port director or Commissioner of CBP within such 3-month period a statement, or its electronic equivalent, of the ultimate consignee of the merchandise, showing in detail that he had made every reasonable effort to determine the source of the merchandise and of every component thereof and to ascertain the character of labor used in the production of the merchandise and each of its components, the full results of his investigation, and his belief with respect to the use of the class of labor specified in the finding in any stage of the production of the merchandise or of any of its components.

(c) If the certificate or certificates and statements specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, or its electronic equivalent, are submitted within the time prescribed and the Commissioner finds that the merchandise is admissible, the port director concerned will be advised to that effect, whereupon he shall release the merchandise upon compliance with the usual entry requirements.