APL issues advisory on Japan’s 24-hour rule

   APL is reminding shippers of Japan’s 24-hour rule that requires manifest information to be submitted 24 hours before vessel’s departure for cargoes destined or transshipped via Japan ports.
   Japan’s rule essentially marries the requirements of the U.S. advance manifest rule with the Importer Security Filing, which requires data from importers about their business partners and cargo contents. Japanese officials have made clear that there is no phase-in period for shippers to learn the system. Penalties for non-compliance are steep, including the possibility of imprisonment. 
   American Shipper covered the requirements and impact of the JP-24 rule in the June 2013 magazine issue.
   APL is imposing a “No Document, No Load” policy for the above-mentioned cargoes with effect from March 10.
   It says as a general rule, the cut-off time is usually three days before vessel arrival at port of load.
   APL will charge an advance manifest filing fee.
   The carrier instructed customers to start filing the information as early as Feb. 17 to help it fine-tune the process in time for full implementation.
   Additional information can be found on the company’s website, including information about fees.