U.S. CUSTOMS STEPS UP ENFORCEMENT OF 24-HOUR MANIFEST RULE

U.S. CUSTOMS STEPS UP ENFORCEMENT OF 24-HOUR MANIFEST RULE    The U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection reminded international traders that it would begin the next phase of enforcement for the 24-hour advance manifest filing rule for seaborne imports on May 4.
   Customs said it would fine companies that do not electronically submit their cargo declarations on time and issue 'do not load' messages to vessel operators for containerized cargo that has an invalid or incomplete cargo description. Initially, enforcement efforts focused on significant violations of the cargo description requirements such as the vague terms 'freight all kinds,' 'said to contain,' or 'general merchandise.'
   On May 15, Customs will issue 'do not load' messages if the consignee's name and address are not clearly labeled or left blank. Customs will also penalize companies for invalid cargo descriptions and late submittals for shipments known as 'foreign remaining on board,' that enter the United States, but are not unloaded at the first port of call.
   Carriers may be assessed a $5,000 penalty for the first violation and $10,000 for any subsequent violation attributable to the master of the ship. The same penalty schedule applies to non-vessel operating common carriers.