CBP Delays Container/Equipment e-Manifest Update for Truck Carriers, Brokers to March 2008
According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance document and CBP sources, an Automated Commercial Environment electronic manifest update that will give truck carriers and customs brokers the capability to arrive and export in-bonds1 by equipment (trailer/container, etc.) has been delayed to March 20082.
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An ABI administrative message previously announced that this programming enhancement was scheduled to go into production on January 26, 2008. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/19/07 news, 07121905, for BP summary.)
Truck Carriers, Brokers Will be Able to Use EDI to Arrive/Export In-Bonds
The guidance document and ABI administrative message state that the reporting of the arrival/exportation of in-bonds will be able to be done via electronic data interchange (EDI):
- truck carriers will be able arrive and export in-bonds by container/equipment via the ANSI X12 353 set as well as via EDIFACT CUSREP; and
- brokers will be able to arrive and export in-bonds by container/equipment through the ABI WP function.
(By reporting the arrival or export by equipment/container, all the in-bond shipments associated with that equipment/container will be able to be arrived/exported at the same time.)
Should Not be Used for Multiple In-Bonds Going to Multiple Destinations
According to the guidance document and ABI administrative message, the underlying assumption behind the arrival/export by container/equipment is that all the in-bonds within the container are going to the same in-bond destination port. However, it has been noted that in the truck environment in-bonds destined for multiple ports may be transported to their destinations in the same truck. This is especially the case when the in-bonds are created by brokers using the QP function.
Consequently, in a situation where multiple in-bonds going to multiple destinations are in the same truck, the arrival/export by container/equipment function should not be used. Instead, carriers and brokers should arrive/export their in-bonds by in-bond numbers or Shipment Control Numbers (i.e., bill of lading numbers).
(To arrive/export by container/equipment numbers in this situation would cause all the in-bonds to be arrived, even those destined for other ports. When these in-bonds reach their original destinations, penalties or redelivery notices could be issued.)
(CBP's guidance states that reporting the arrival and export of in-bond shipments will only affect EDI filers. However, a CBP source states that the update will affect both EDI filers and ACE Secure Data Portal users.)
1There are three types of in-bond movements: Immediate Transportation (IT), Transportation and Exportation (T&E), and Immediate Exportation (IE).
2Although CBP's guidance indicates that this ACE update is scheduled for March 1, 2008, CBP sources state that this deadline is likely to be extended to later in March 2008.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 05/10/07 news, 07051005, for BP summary announcing that CBP would be expanding the in-bond capabilities to allow for the arrival of in-bonds by container/equipment, etc.)
CBP ABI message (Adm: 07-0272, dated 12/13/07) available at http://www.brokerpower.com/admmsgs/2007/07-0272.html
CBP guidance on recent/upcoming e-Manifest updates (dated January 2008) available via email by sending a request to documents@brokerpower.com (Sources state that it should be re-posted to the CBP's Web site soon.)