Although the implementation of the European 24 hours advance cargo Manifest (Regulation 1875/2006) has been postponed until December 31, 2010, the European Commission has already set up guidelines for acceptable and non-acceptable plain language cargo descriptions. This to make the cargo descriptions precise enough for the Customs Services to identify the goods.

Individual EU Member States can already request the application of cargo descriptions in near future.

Dutch Customs will start with this requirement effective from September 1st, 2009. This will mean that declaring the non-acceptable good descriptions will cause possible delay at Customs inspection and control. Therefore, we would highly recommend you to apply only acceptable cargo description on your shipping instructions to us.

Other member states might follow soon and therefore, we also sincerely suggest you take this opportunity to apply the cargo description guidelines for shipments to any other European countries also.

Click here to view the complete information regarding the new regulation, including a list of examples of acceptable and unacceptable description of goods.

July 7, 2009

Due to Department of Homeland Security requirements, a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is a must to gain unescorted access to Marine terminals. The TWIC regulations are in force in our terminals as follows: in Chester, PA. Dec. 30th 2008, in Richmond, VA Jan. 13th 2009 and in Wilmington, NC Nov 28, 2008. The cost for an escort for people/drivers without a TWIC card is:
• In Chester, PA: $75.00
• In Wilmington, NC: There can be upto 30 minutes waiting time for a TWIC escort to arrive (Port City Taxi). The escort charges $20 to access the terminal + $20 per hour until leaving the terminal. Hence, the initial cost is $40.00. Flat bed truckers without a TWIC card can experience port turn times of upto one hour.

We encourage all personnel and drivers who need to access marine terminals to obtain a TWIC card.

One can get more information about getting a TWIC card from 1-866 -DHS-TWIC; 1-866-347-8942;
https://twicprogram.tsa.dhs.gov/

March 3, 2009

CBP enforcement of U.S. Census Bureau AES export documentation requirements would not involve penalties until the agency issued its penalty mitigation guidelines. Today the agency has issued the penalty mitigation guidelines with an effective enforcement date of February 1.

While the principal responsibility for filings under this regime falls on exporters and forwarders, WSC Members are reminded of their obligation to ensure they collect the proof of filing citation generated in AES (called the Internal Transaction Number) or the exemption legend (for shipments not requiring an AES filing or authorized to file AES information post-departure) from the US Principal Party (USPPI) in Interest prior to loading the cargo on the vessel. The carrier will then need to ensure the proof of filing citation or exemption legend is annotated on the export manifest filing.

Noncompliance starting February 1 will result in the potential application of penalties pursuant to the new guidelines.

To read the full official CBP legal bulletin, click here (note pages 4-10. Note that the bulletin also provides penalty guidance for USPPIs)

For an excerpt of this bulletin that contains only this AES penalty mitigation guideline announcement (with relevant provisions for carriers highlighted in yellow), click here.

January 2, 2009

Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements; Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2008. This regulation is commonly referred to by the trade as the 10+2 Rule. The effective date is January 26, 2009 with a 12 month Informed Compliance period. CBP will "show restraint" in enforcement until January 26, 2010 as long as parties show good faith efforts towards compliance.

Some of the elements of the ISF are open for trade comment until June but NOT the entire regulation.

The 10+2 rule requires importers or their agents to submit an Importer Security Filing (ISF) with eight data elements, no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard a vessel destined for the United States. They are:
􀂃Seller;
􀂃Buyer;
􀂃Importer of record number / foreign trade zone applicant identification number;
􀂃Consignee number(s);
􀂃Manufacturer (or supplier);
􀂃Ship to party;
􀂃Country of origin; and
􀂃Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) number

The ISF will also need to include two data elements that must be submitted as early as possible, but no later than 24 hours prior to the ship’s arrival at a U.S. port. These data elements are:
􀂃Container stuffing location; and
􀂃Consolidator.

The Bill of Lading Number is required as an identifier in the ISF. This filing is commonly referred to as the ISF10.

The "2" portion of the 10+2 relates to the Carrier's responsibility to submit the following directly to CBP:
􀂃Vessel Stow Plan (to be submitted NLT 48 hours after departure from last foreign port)
􀂃Container Status Messages (to be submitted daily & includes empties)

IE/T&E Shipments

The following five data elements must be submitted for FROB, IE and T&E shipments:
􀂃 Booking party;
􀂃 Foreign port of unlading;
􀂃 Place of delivery;
􀂃 Ship to party; and
􀂃 Commodity HTSUS number.

This filing is commonly referred to as the ISF5.

ICL will handle filing of the Vessel Stow Plan and Container Status Messages (CSMs) as per the Carrier requirements under the 10+2 Rule. We encourage US Importers to work with their designated Customs House Broker or agent to handle the Importer Security Filing (ISF). ICL is not in a position to transmit the ISF10 submission unless we are responsible, on behalf of the importer, for processing U.S. Customs Clearance via our Supply Chain Services Team.

Additional information can be found on the CBP website at: 
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/cargo_security/carriers/security_filing/

CBP is conducting Outreach events around the country to educate the trade on this regulation. The schedule of events can be found at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/09_outreach_schl.xml.

December 30, 2008

Importers of products transported on wooden pallets or in wooden crates are being reminded that Customs and Border Protection will begin tighter enforcement of phytosanitary regulations starting February 1, which means that non-compliant shipments face immediate re-exportation at the shipper's expense.

Additional Information:

Phase II implementation

Second Phase of Enforcement for Wood Packaging

Wood Packaging Material

ISPM 15 - Fumigation Information

January 1, 2006

ICL has developed a security plan that is fully compliant with all requirements of HM-232. We believe this plan provides efficient and effective procedures that promote the secure handling, storage and transportation of hazardous materials.

January 1, 2006

We at ICL take a serious approach to security. We will conform to any regulations that arise and will monitor on-going legislation. ICL's application for C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) has been approved. To obtain more information on this regulation, click on the link above.

July 1, 2005

The US Department of Homeland Security has posted a list of frequently asked questions on the new 24 Hour Advance Vessel Manifest Rules. This link also provides you with information on the Sea AMS "Special Bill".

July 1, 2005

To protect the public from an attack on the U.S. Food Supply, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 was initiated. This directs the Department of Health and Human Services to take steps to protect the public from such a threat. All of ICL's CFS' and warehouses have been registered with the FDA. For more information, please follow the link above.

June 28, 2005