CBP Plans Pilot Tests of Electronic Cargo Manifests Ahead of Mandatory ACE

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is inviting comments through June 1 on electronic air, ocean and rail export manifests, which will be pilot tested this year in the run-up to the first deadline for mandatory use of the Automated Commercial Environment. Comments on other related new and existing information collections are also due by June 1.

Vessels

Currently, the master or commander of a vessel arriving in the U.S. from abroad with cargo on board must file CBP form 1302, Cargo Manifest/Declaration, or submit the information on this form using a CBP-approved electronic equivalent. In addition, the master or commander of a vessel departing from the U.S. must file CBP Form 1302A, Cargo Declaration Outward with Commercial Forms, or a CBP-approved electronic equivalent with copies of bills of lading or equivalent commercial documents relating to all cargo encompassed by the manifest.

CBP will begin in 2015 a pilot to electronically collect ocean export manifest information, which will be transmitted to CBP in advance via the Automated Export System within ACE. The data elements to be transmitted may include the following.

• name of the vessel or carrier
• name and address of the shipper
• port where report is made
• nationality of the ship
• name of the master
• port of loading
• port of discharge
• bill of lading number (master and house)
• marks and numbers
• container numbers
• seal numbers
• number and kinds of packages
• description of goods
• gross weight (lb. or kg)
• measurement (per HTSUS)
• in-bond number
• AES ITN number or exemption statement
• split shipment indicator
• port of split shipment
• hazmat indicator
• Chemical Abstract Service ID number
• vehicle identification number or product identification number
• mode of transportation (containerized or non-containerized)

Aircraft

Currently, the aircraft commander or agent must file CBP Form 7509, Air Cargo Manifest, at the departure airport, or respondents may submit the information on this form using a CBP-approved electronic equivalent.

CBP will begin in 2015 a pilot to electronically collect air export manifest information, which will be transmitted to CBP in advance via AES in ACE. The data elements to be transmitted may include the following.

• exporting carrier
• marks of nationality and registration
• flight number
• port of lading
• port of unlading
• scheduled date of departure
• consolidator
• de-consolidator
• air waybill type (master, house, simple or sub)
• air waybill number
• number of pieces and unit of measure
• weight (lb. or kg)
• number of house air waybills
• shipper name and address
• consignee name and address
• cargo description
• AES ITN number or exemption statement
• split air waybill indicator
• hazmat indicator
• UN number
• in-bond number
• mode of transportation

Rail

Currently the master or person in charge of a conveyance files CBP Form 7533, Inward Cargo Manifest for Vessel Under Five Tons, Ferry, Train, Car, Vehicle, Etc., which is required for a vehicle or a vessel of less than five net tons arriving in the U.S. from Canada or Mexico, otherwise than by sea, with baggage or merchandise. Respondents may also submit the information on this form using a CBP-approved electronic equivalent.

CBP will begin in 2015 a pilot to electronically collect rail export manifest information, which will be transmitted to CBP in advance via AES in ACE. The data elements to be transmitted may include the following.

• manifest number
• mode of transportation (containerized or non-containerized)
• port of departure from the U.S.
• date of departure
• train number
• rail car order/car locator message
• hazmat indicator
• six-character hazmat code
• marks and numbers
• Standard Carrier Alpha Code for exporting carrier
• bill of lading number (master and house)
• shipper name and address
• consignee name and address
• notify party name and address
• AES ITN or exemption statement
• cargo description
• weight
• quantity and unit of measure
• split shipment indicator
• portion of split shipment
• in-bond number
• seal number
• Mexican Pedimento number
• place where rail carrier takes possession of cargo shipment
• port of unlading
• container numbers (for containerized shipments) or rail car numbers
• data for empty rail cars (empty indicator and rail car number)

Other

Manifest Confidentiality. An importer or consignee (inward) or a shipper (outward) may request confidential treatment of its name and address contained in manifests by following the procedure set forth in 19 CFR 103.31.

Vessel Stow Plan (Import). For all vessels transporting goods to the U.S., except for any vessel exclusively carrying bulk cargo, the incoming carrier is required to electronically submit no later than 48 hours after the vessel departs from the last foreign port a vessel stow plan that includes information about the vessel and cargo. For voyages less than 48 hours in duration, CBP must receive the vessel stow plan prior to arrival at the first port in the U.S.

Vessel Stow Plan (Export). CBP will begin in 2015 a pilot to electronically collect a vessel stow plan for vessels transporting goods from the U.S., except for any vessels exclusively carrying bulk cargo. The exporting carrier will electronically submit a vessel stow plan in advance.

Container Status Messages. For all containers destined to arrive within the limits of a U.S. port from a foreign port by vessel, the incoming carrier must submit messages regarding the status of events if the carrier creates or collects a CSM in its equipment tracking system reporting an event. CSMs must be transmitted to CBP via a CBP-approved electronic data interchange system. These messages transmit information regarding events such as the status of a container (full or empty), booking a container destined to arrive in the U.S., loading or unloading a container from a vessel, and a container arriving or departing the U.S.

Importer Security Filing. For most cargo arriving in the U.S. by vessel, the importer or its authorized agent must submit the data elements listed in 19 CFR 149.3 via a CBP-approved electronic interchange system within prescribed time frames. Transmission of these data elements provides CBP with advance information about the shipment.