CBP's FAQ on Mandatory Advance Electronic Cargo Information Requirements
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued its first version (dated February 12, 2004) of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on its final rule requiring the advance electronic presentation of information pertaining to cargo (sea, air, rail, or truck) prior to its being brought into, or sent from, the U.S.
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(Although this FAQ states that it covers all modes of cargo transportation, both inbound and outbound, CBP sources note that most of the questions and answers in this first version only pertain to inbound cargo. In addition, some questions listed in the "all modes" section of the FAQ might be more appropriately placed its "vessel mode" section, as they appear to only pertain to inbound ocean cargo.)
This is Part VII of a multi-part series of summaries of the February 12, 2004 FAQ, and covers FAQs on the following data elements: shipper's name and address, consignee and to order bills, and seals. See future issues of ITT for additional summaries.
FAQ 19 - Data Element: Shipper's Name and Address
CBP provides guidance on the parties that should be used when reporting the shipper and the second notify party.
(FAQ 19 appears to be substantially similar to FAQ 31 in CBP's FAQ on the 24-hour rule for inbound vessel cargo; however, information regarding the adequacy of the shipper description and outdated references are omitted. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/06/02 news, 02120605, for BP summary of FAQ 31 for the 24-hour rule.)
Subscribers should note that CBP is delaying full enforcement of the term "shipper" for inbound vessel cargo as it appears in CBP's December 5, 2003 final rule on the advance electronic presentation of cargo information, and will allow the current definition of "shipper" - the party that contracts for carriage of the cargo - to continue to be used. See ITT's Online Archives or 02/24/04 news, 04022405, for BP summary.)
FAQ 20 - Data Element: Consignee and To Order Bills
CBP provides guidance on the consignee data element, particularly as it relates to To Order Bills.
(This FAQ 20 appears to be substantially similar to FAQ 32 in CBP's FAQ on the 24-hour rule for inbound vessel cargo. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/06/02 and 07/31/03 news, 02120605 and 03073105, for BP summaries regarding FAQ 32 for the 24-hour rule.)
FAQ 21 - Data Element: Seals
CBP provides guidance on what a carrier should do if it receives a container from a shipper without a seal or if it is discovered that the original seal has been broken or damaged.
(This FAQ 21 appears to be substantially similar to FAQ 33 in CBP's FAQ on the 24-hour rule for inbound vessel cargo except that certain statements regarding the 24-hour review start time, CBP's initial enforcement focus, and offshore customs authorities are omitted. CBP has also replaced a reference to non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) with a reference to "authorized transmitting parties." See ITT's Online Archives or 12/06/02 and 02/03/03 news, 02120605 and 03020310, for BP summaries of FAQ 33 for the 24-hour rule.)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/19/04, 02/20/04, 02/24/04, 02/25/04, 02/26/04, and 02/27/04 news, 04021905, 04022010, 04022410, 04022510, 04022620, and 04022715, for Parts I-VI of this multi-part series of summaries. See ITT's Online Archives or 01/20/04 news, 04012035, for final installment of BP's summary of CBP's response to comments received on the proposed version of this final rule, with links to earlier installments. See ITT's Online Archives or 12/16/03 news, 03121610, for final installment of BP's summary of the final rule's regulations, with links to earlier installments.)
CBP states that interested parties with additional questions that are not included in this FAQ document should write to Manifest.Branch@dhs.gov.
CBP FAQ Document (dated 02/12/04) available at http://www.cbp.gov/ImageCache/cgov/content/import/communications_5fto_5ftrade/mandatory_5fadvanced_5felectronics/tpa_5ffaqs_2edoc/v1/tpa_5ffaqs.doc