NVOS URGED TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT U.S. CUSTOMS? MANIFEST REQUIREMENTS

NVOS URGED TO VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT U.S. CUSTOMSÆ MANIFEST REQUIREMENTS    While U.S. port security legislation evolves in the Senate, the non-vessel-operating common carrier industry is urged to voice its concerns about Customs manifest requirements contained in the legislation.
   “It has been our concern that under the guise of security measures, ocean carrier groups and others will be seeking commercial advantages at the expense of the intermediaries,” said Carlos Rodriguez, general counsel for the Transportation Intermediaries’ Government Affairs and Security Council in Washington.
   A recent draft of the so-called Hollings Port Security Bill released on Dec. 13 “clearly puts the NVOCC at a distinct disadvantage, and even puts the NVOCC in peril with regard to their continued existence,” Rodriguez said.
   For in-bound shipments, the draft bill requires NVOs to provide full shipper and consignee information on their house bills of lading along with the vessel manifest submitted to Customs.
   For export shipments, the draft bill requires the NVOs to tender to the ocean carrier a copy of their house bills of lading, in addition to what was already submitted to Customs through the Automated Export System.
   Failure to comply with these manifest requirements would result in detentions or seizures of cargo by Customs.
   On Thursday, industry officials from the Houston Customshouse Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association and the Carriers Container Council will meet with Customs officials in Houston to discuss manifest filing requirements.
   “We suggest that NVOs commence this qualifying AMS (Automated Manifest System) procedures immediately with Customs,” Rodriguez said. “There are provisions in the existing Customs regulations to allow NVOs to report via AMS.”