Details of CBP's FAQ on Mandatory Advance Electronic Information Requirements for Inbound Cargo (Vessel Mode)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) and responses (dated May 21, 2004) labeled as pertaining to the "Vessel Mode" of transportation, for the inbound ocean portion of its final rule on the advance electronic presentation of information pertaining to cargo (ocean, air, rail, and truck) prior to its being brought into, or sent from, the U.S.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
This "Vessel Mode" of transportation FAQ, along with another FAQ entitled "All Modes," were previously sections of CBP's earlier FAQ on the inbound requirements of this final rule. Together, the "Vessel Mode" FAQ and the "All Modes" FAQ replace CBP's earlier FAQ.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 06/07/04 news, 04060705, for BP summary of the "All Modes" FAQ. See ITT's Online Archives or 06/04/04 news, 04060405, for BP summary on the splitting of CBP's FAQ on Mandatory Advance Electronic Information Requirements for Inbound Cargo into an "All Modes" FAQ and a "Vessel Mode" FAQ.)
May 21, 2004 "Vessel Mode" FAQ Also Reflects Revision of 6 FAQ and 1 New FAQ
This May 21, 2004 "Vessel Mode" FAQ also contains revisions to six FAQ: 2B, 6, 13F, 15, 16, and 17, as well as one new FAQ 19.
This is Part II, the final part of a two-part series of summaries on this revised "Vessel Mode" FAQ and covers empty ocean containers, vessel International Maritime Organization (IMO) number, and manifest quantities for bulk shipments. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/08/04 news, 04060810, for Part I of this series of summaries.)
FAQ 16 - Empty Ocean Containers
CBP has revised its answer to FAQ 16, regarding when cargo declaration (CF 1302) data must be transmitted for empty containers, in order to add a new sentence which states that carriers must transmit a separate bill of lading listing the empty container numbers for each U.S. port of discharge.
CBP's answer continues to state that cargo declaration information for bills of lading consisting solely of empty containers must be received by CBP in AMS 24 hours prior to the arrival of the vessel for voyages 24 hours in duration or more or be received by CBP in AMS at the time of sailing for voyages less than 24 hours in duration.
FAQ 17 - Vessel International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number
CBP has revised its answer to FAQ 17 regarding a situation where Sea AMS is transmitting reject messages for cargo declaration data submitted to CBP even though the IMO number transmitted is correct.
In its revised answer, CBP states that when cargo declaration data is received by CBP, AMS does a comparison to the data contained in the existing CBP Lloyds file. If the Lloyds number and vessel name do not exactly match the information in the CBP file, the system will reject the data transmission. According to CBP, the carrier/authorized transmitting party is responsible for the accuracy of the data transmission, including requesting an update to the CBP Lloyds file. Lloyds requests are needed when it is known that a vessel is not on file with CBP or if any of the following information changes: Name, Owner, Flag of Registry, Draft, Tonnage (Gross/Net). The procedure for submitting a Lloyds request to CBP may be found at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/operations_support/automated_systems/ams/lloyds_request.xml.
CBP emphasizes in its amended answer that in order to meet the CBP electronic data transmission requirements, both the Lloyds number and vessel name are required within the transmission.
FAQ 19 - Manifest Quantities for Bulk Shipments
CBP has added a new FAQ 19 regarding how liquid bulk and dry bulk carriers should transmit manifest quantities via Sea AMS.
CBP states that 19 CFR 4.7a(c)(4)(v) requires the numbers and quantities from the carrier's ocean bills of lading, either master or house, as applicable (this means that the carrier must transmit the quantity of the lowest external packaging unit; containers and pallets are not acceptable manifested quantities).
Since the lowest external unit for many bulk shipments would be the tank or a portion of a tank that will be discharged at the port of unlading, CBP states that it will accept a quantity of one (1). CBP states that 19 CFR 4.7a(c)(1) also requires that either the gross weight (expressed in pounds or kilos) or the measurement (expressed according to the unit of measure specified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)) shall be provided.
To address the needs of the tanker ships and break bulk carriers, CBP states that the weight units in Sea AMS previously identified on the Manifest Header Screen as pounds (LB) or kilograms (KG) have been expanded to include the following: ET (metric ton); MT (measurement ton); LT (long ton); and ST (short ton).
CBP also provides examples of manifest descriptions for bulk shipments in its response to new FAQ 19.
CBP's revised "Vessel Mode" FAQ (revised 05/21/04) available at