New US Customs Regulations for the Importation of Ocean Freight to the USA
Summary
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has introduced new measures to identify ocean cargo that may pose a security threat before it is loaded on board a vessel bound for the USA. The new regulation requires that specific information about the cargo, where it was manufactured, who shipped it, where it is destined in the USA and who the importer is, be filed with U.S. Customs (CBP) in advance of the goods being shipped.
The details required as part of this process are standard in the commercial shipping process. The difference with this regulation is that these details must be filed before a shipment is made overseas, rather then once it arrives at U.S. port. This will impact all overseas exhibitors shipping materials to the USA by sea freight.
Effective dates: phased in starting 26th January 2009 with a full implementation on 26th January 2010.
Necessary steps to take:
The following ‘10’ pieces of information - the Importer Security Filing (ISF) - must be filed with U.S. Customs (CBP) at least 24 hours before the vessel sails from the overseas port:
- Manufacturer (or supplier) name & address;
- Seller name & address;
- Buyer name & address;
- Ship to name & address;
- Container stuffing location;
- Consolidator name & address;
- Importer of record number;
- Consignee number
- Country of origin of goods; and
- HTS number (6 or 10 digit level).
The other ‘2’ pieces of information are provided and filed by the ocean carrier.
Agility Fairs & Events is the official international freight forwarder and Customs broker for ITEC 2010. Agility will complete the ISF filing for all exhibitor shipments sent through the Agility network.
If you choose to use another forwarder, please make sure that they have a detailed knowledge of these requirements and how they relate to exhibition shipments.
If the ISF is not filed at least 24 hours before the vessel sails, the shipment will not be loaded on board the vessel.
Additional information is available at www.cbp.gov and questions may be sent to Security_Filing_General@cbp.dhs.gov
Or by contacting Agility Fairs and Events USA at expousa@agilitylogistics.com
Margaret Churchill
Agility Fairs & Events USA
Email: mchurchill@agilitylogistics.com
Ph: 404-815-8816 / FAX: 404-724-9135 |
