CBP's FAQ on Mandatory Advance Electronic Information Requirements for Inbound Air Cargo

(Although the actual title of this FAQ is "Air Automated Manifest System Frequently Asked Questions," it is listed on CBP's Web site as "Air FAQs on the Trade Act of 2002 - Mandatory Advanced Electronic Cargo Information.")

This is Part IX, the final part of a multi-part series of summaries on this FAQ, and highlights FAQs 25-31.

FAQ 25 - Emergency/Forced Landings

If an emergency or forced landing is made by an aircraft when necessary for safety or the preservation of life or health, and such aircraft is coming into the U.S. from a foreign location or traveling from airport to airport in the U.S. under a permit to proceed, CBP states that the aircraft commander, owner or other person in charge must notify CBP at the intended place of first landing, nearest international airport or nearest port of entry as soon as possible and make a full report of the flight and the emergency or forced landing.

FAQ 26 - Foreign or Domestic Location of Data Input

In response to a question asking if the manual input of information into the Air Automated Manifest System (AMS) needs to occur in the U.S. or may such data input occur at a foreign location, CBP states that it does not require that data entry occur in the U.S., and an Air AMS participant must be able to communicate with Air AMS at all locations where it participates in Air AMS.

FAQ 27 - Duplicate Air Waybills

According to CBP, once an air waybill number has been used to report a cargo shipment in Air AMS, the same air waybill number may not be used for a period of one year after issuance. Air AMS is programmed to archive an air waybill record one year after its use, but Air AMS will not archive an air waybill record if there is an outstanding hold on the air waybill. CBP notes that an Air AMS participant may use the freight status query (FSQ) message to determine if such a hold exists on an air waybill record.

FAQ 28 - Quantity to Be Reported

CBP states that when reporting in Air AMS the quantity of pieces for cargo loaded on a pallet, unit load device (ULD) or other similar equipment, the December 5, 2003 final rule requires that the Air AMS participant report the quantity based on the smallest external packing unit. For example, one pallet loaded with 100 boxes would be reported with a quantity of 100.

Regarding this example, if the carrier incorrectly reports the master air waybill record as 1 and the carrier or other Air AMS participant attempts to transmit the house air waybill records with a sum total quantity of 100, CBP states that Air AMS has an edit that prevents the sum total of the house air waybill quantities from exceeding the associated master air waybill quantity. Attempts to input or change air waybill quantities in violation of the edit will result in rejection of the transmission.

FAQ 29 - Freight Status Information Messages

As freight status notification (FSN) messages are transmitted to the Air AMS participant in custody of the cargo, how does an Air AMS participant that transmitted the house air waybill record but does not have custody of the cargo know what information was sent to the cargo custodian?

An Air AMS participant that transmits house air waybill information but will not assume physical custody of the cargo may elect to receive electronic Freight Status Information (FSI) messages, which contain the same information that is sent to the Air AMS cargo custodian as an FSN message.

However, CBP notes that the FSI message is for informational purposes only and is not to be interpreted as an authorization for delivery of the cargo by the Air AMS participant in custody of the cargo. CBP indicates that an Air AMS participant may request its assigned client representative to activate the FSI messaging function.

FAQ 30 - Carrier Codes

In response to a question asking how an airline obtains a carrier/International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) code, CBP states that ICAO three-letter identifier codes are registered by the civil aviation authority of the carrier's country of jurisdiction. Each country may establish its own criteria for the assignment of such codes.

FAQ 31 - Company Material/Postal Mail/Letters and Documents

Company material. According to CBP, cargo imported by the carrier for its own use is subject to the December 5, 2003 advance electronic presentation of cargo information final rule.

Postal mail. CBP states that its December 5, 2003 Federal Register notice stated that CBP will consult with the Postmaster General to determine what type of electronic cargo information requirements should be imposed upon carriers of mail shipments through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). According to CBP, this issue is still under consideration. As such, shipments of mail through the USPS are not currently subject to the advance electronic presentation of cargo information final rule.

Letters and documents. According to CBP, its December 5, 2003 Federal Register notice stated that letters and documents, as well as the material described in HTS General Note 3(e) (formerly HTS General Note 19(c)), transported by air otherwise than through the USPS would be the subject of a rule separately published in the Federal Register. CBP adds that it has not established a weight limit for letters and documents for purposes of this future rule.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/08/04, 04/16/04, 04/19/04, 04/20/04, 04/21/04, 04/22/04, 04/23/04, and 04/26/04 news, 04040805, 04041605, 04041915, 04042010, 04042115, 04042230, 04042325, and 04042615, for Parts I-VIII of this series of summaries on this FAQ.)

CBP's air cargo FAQ (dated 04/01/04) available at http://www.cbp.gov/ImageCache/cgov/content/import/communications_5fto_5ftrade/mandatory_5fadvanced_5felectronics/air_5ffaq_5fcargo_2edoc/v1/air_5ffaq_5fcargo.doc