Importer Security Filing (ISF)
July 08, 2014, United States, all ports
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued updates to the enforcement strategy and policy regarding failures to comply with ISF (Importer Security Filing).
The sole responsibility and penalty risk for any ISF mistakes of failures are with the U.S. importer of record, regardless of who is the actual ISF filer (which can be anyone worldwide who has received written authorization from the U.S. importer to file ISF on their behalf).
The CBP started a new penalty enforcement process on May 13, 2014:
– Any prior ISF violations, penalty potential etc. have been deleted so no old cases will be pursued by CBP;
– Any ISF violations after May 13, 2014 will be subject to three warnings by CBP to the importer and penalties will only be issued starting with the 4th violation thus giving importers (especially those very small and infrequent importers) a “second chance” to make improvements in the future;
– Exact process for ISF enforcement will vary by port of arrival – this could be somewhat confusing for those overseas.
Any IFS violations (late, missing or incorrect filings) will experience delays at the arrival port (manifest holds) and potential additional delays for VACIS (X-ray) examinations and even physical examination by CBP prior to release to the importer.
For the time being, CBP is only enforcing ISF for U.S. import shipments (ISF 10) and not for FROB or in-transit shipments (ISF 5) as there have been too many difficulties with the current regulations as written for ISF 5:
– CBP will soon release updated/new requirements for ISF 5 so compliance and enforcement for trans-shipments and FROB will resume soon.
Foreign NVOCCs/forwarders are urged to:
– Provide correct AMS B/L number to the ISF filer and/or U.S. importer multiple days before vessel sailing;
– Provide any of the additional data elements that may be required by the ISF filer/U.S. importer;
– If you filed ACE Ocean Manifest (previously known as Ocean or Sea AMS) to CBP (and thus are assigning the AMS B/L number) please monitor the ACE Ocean Manifest status reports to ensure that you receive an “ISF on file” (3Z message in ACE Ocean Manifest) which confirms that CBP has matched-up the AMS B/L number with the ISF filing.
The mandatory ISF filing deadline is 24 hours prior to vessel departure.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Updated guidelines in case of disruption
July 08, 2014, United States, all ports
U.S. Customs has updated its guidelines for interim procedures in the event of a disruption at the West Coast ports due to the ongoing labor negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and Pacific Maritime Association (PMA).
The two sides had pledged in a joint statement that “cargo will keep moving, and normal operations will continue at the ports until an agreement is reached”.
Despite that guarantee, Customs first released instructions on 24 June in the case of possible diversion of vessels and cargo scheduled for discharge at West Coast ports. The guidelines were updated on 3 July to include information pertaining to U.S. Food and Drug Administration procedures, as well as its resumption plan to provide priority processing to partners in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Truckers’ and Teamsters’ protest
July 08, 2014, United States, Los Angeles, California
Day one of the California trucker’s and Teamsters protest at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach got off to a slow start yesterday (7 July) as port operations continued without any disruption.
With no picket line to honor, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) continued business as usual.
California truck drivers at three major transportation companies went on strike Monday morning. With the backing of the Teamsters, they are demanding the end of purported labor law violations, including misclassification and charges of intimidation and wrongful termination for supporting organized labor.
The three firms affected by the strike classify their drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, meaning they don’t have to pay various benefits. The protestors have stated that they will refuse to return to work until their demands are met.
For information about operations in the USA contact GAC USA at usa@gac.com
Exercise Blue Dolphin 2014
July 08, 2014, Singapore, Singapore
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore will be conducting “Exercise Blue Dolphin 2014”, a Passenger Vessel Mishap Exercise, on Friday, 11 July 2014 from 9am to 3pm.
The exercise will involve the evacuation of “role payers” acting as passengers from a passenger ship at sea to Marina South Pier (MSP) and Marina Bay Cruise Centre (MBCC).
In view of the larger number of role players and emergency vehicles participating in the exercise, and the need to ensure public safety, MSP will be partially closed for the duration of the exercise.
CLOSURE OF MARINA SOUTH PIER, ACCESS ROAD & CAR PARK
To facilitate the exercise, the following will be implemented:
a. The pier’s main hall and ticketing counters will be closed.
b. The car park within the premises of MSP will be closed from 5am to 4pm on 11 July 2014.
c. One lane of the Marina Coastal Drive, in front of MSP, will be closed from 9am to 3pm on the 11 July 2014. During the closure, only authorised vehicles will be allowed to enter;
MSP will still be partially opened; an access path will be established between the entrance to MSP and the ICA checkpoint. Personnel embarking the passenger launches/boats from the MSP are to use this access path. Marshals will be deployed on the ground to assist with directions.
There will be no changes to the schedule and route of SBS Transit Service No.402, plying between Shenton Way Terminal and Marina Bay Cruise Centre.
Members of the public and the shipping community are advised to plan their activities ahead in time to avoid Marina South Pier during the partial closure on 11 July 2014, from 9am to 3pm.
HOTLINE
The shipping and harbour craft communities are advised to bring this notice to the attention of their principals and customers. They can contact the Marine Safety Control Centre (24 Hours) at +65 6325 2488/9, or, Mr. Rahman Kamin at +65 6325 2418 (Office Hours) for clarifications on this notice.
(For information about operations in Singapore contact GAC Singapore at singapore@gac.com)
Source: Maritime & POrt Authority of Singapore Port Marine Notice No.91 of 2014 dated 7 July 2014
GAC is a global provider of integrated shipping, logistics and marine services dedicated to helping customers achieve their strategic goals at the highest levels of quality, safety and compliance.
“Jo”
