Japan's Advance Filing for Inbound Ocean Cargo Info to Begin March 2014
Japan Customs is set to begin advance electronic filing of maritime container cargo information in March 2014, it said in an update on implementation of the Advance Filing Rules. Beginning then, Carriers and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC) will be required to electronically submit to Japan Customs information on maritime container cargoes to be loaded on a vessel intended to entry into a port in Japan, in principle no later than 24 hours before departure of the vessel from a port of loading. Until implementation of the rules is “well-established,” the deadline for filing will be relaxed to no later than departure for certain short-distance shipping routes.
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On March 30, the Japanese Diet passed a bill to amend the Customs Tariff Law to enact the Advance Filing Rules. Upon implementation in March 2014, it will become mandatory for carriers to file cargo information at the master bill of lading level, and for NVOCCs to file cargo information at the house bill of lading level, through the Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System (NACCS).
Carriers and NVOCCs will be able to file cargo information in NACCS through either (1) a gateway connection with the reporter’s own system; (2) connection through a service provider; or (3) connection using client software provided by the NACCS center, Japan Customs said.
Upon filing, Japan Customs will perform a risk assessment. Depending on the results of the risk assessment, the cargo may either (a) be loaded on the ship, (b) the NVOCC or carrier will be instructed to correct and resubmit the information before loading, or (c) in the case of high-risk cargo, Japan Customs will provide advance notice suspending discharge of the cargo in Japan.
According to Japan Customs, release of the operational IT system will occur in October 2013.
Fact sheet on the Advance Filing Rules available here.
Data elements of the Advance Filing Rules available here.
Ports for which deadlines will be relaxed during implementation available here.
Overview of the Advance Filing Ruels and the NACCS electronic filing system available here.
Business process flow showing the Advance Filing Rules procedures available here.