CUSTOMS ELIMINATES, COMBINES SOME CARGO VESSEL FORMS

CUSTOMS ELIMINATES, COMBINES SOME CARGO VESSEL FORMS    U.S. Customs has eliminated and combined several agency forms that pertain to cargo vessel operations in ports.
   The agency eliminated the Master’s Oath of Vessel in Foreign Trade (CF1300) form, which used to be filed for each entrance and clearance of a vessel. This form was eliminated under the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act.
   Customs also eliminated its Transportation Entry and Manifest of Goods (CF7512-C) form, which was a multi-copy, data-card form used by the agency to track in-bond movements of cargo. The original intent of the form was to speed cargo movement reporting by keeping one copy of the form with Customs for data input and another to stay with the cargo until it arrived at destination.
   Customs says CF7512-C is no longer needed because of advances made in its Automated Manifest System.
'    Two Customs forms related to vessel operators, the General Declaration (CF1301) and Clearance of Vessel to a Foreign Port (CF1378), have been combined into a new form, Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement (CF1300).
   Customs has also simplified its procedures for coastwise movements of LASH-type barges. When a complete manifest is not available at the port of lading, the permit to proceed must include a statement that a complete manifest and shipper’s export declaration for each barge will be filed at the port where the barge will be loaded on the barge-carrying ship.