United States Custom's 24 hour Rule will become effective on December 2, 2002. Star Asia is completing the implementation of the necessary hardware, software and operational processes to comply with Customs and expedite your cargo.
The "Custom's 24 hour rule" is an effort to further solidify the Container Security Initiative (CSI), this rule will require ocean carriers to file cargo manifest 24 hours prior to loading vessels bound for the United States. VOCCs and NVOCCs alike will transmit information to U.S. Customs through Customs' electronic Advanced Manifest System (AMS). Manifest data would include: origin port, vessel name, carrier code, voyage number, U.S. E.T.A., first U.S. port of arrival, shipper/consignee names and addresses from all bills of lading and a "precise commodity description" of the cargo.
While Star Asia is taking all necessary steps to insure total compliance, we will need your assistance. You must relay the importance of this new law to your vendors and your vendor's vendors. They must provide Star Asia all export documentation (commercial invoice, packing list and dock receipt) 72 hours prior to vessel loading. This will insure that the requested information is transmitted and received by Customs. In addition, the exporter must provide the following:
- Complete Shipper name & address
- Complete Consignee name & address
- Container number
- Exact commodity loaded
- Number of pieces, weight and CBM of each commodity loaded
- Seal number
Please keep in mind that Customs WILL NOT ALLOW boarding of containers unless this information is transmitted and carriers cannot load containers until authorized by Customs to do so. Please also be advised that Customs has implemented very strict penalties for non-compliance. Non-Compliance includes the providing of: misleading, incorrect or incomplete information. Penalties can include "hold back" of the container by Customs and monetary penalties of US$5,000 for the first offense and US$10,000 for each offense thereafter.
U.S. Customs hopes that the procedures implemented by the CSI will help expedite shipments at origin and in the U.S. while simultaneously identifying high-risk loads prior to them reaching U.S. soil.
Star Asia will continue to monitor this new situation and keep you advised.