U.S./CARIBBEAN CARRIER GROUP INTRODUCES CUSTOMS ENTRY CHARGE

U.S./CARIBBEAN CARRIER GROUP INTRODUCES CUSTOMS ENTRY CHARGE    The Caribbean Shipowners Association, a carrier group in the U.S./Caribbean container trade, plans to introduce a Customs entry charge of $25 per entry for shipments destined for the United States, effective April 6.
   The association said that the charge is to recover some of the expenses incurred for the implementation, execution, and documentation mandated by U.S. Customs under the 24-hour rule. It will apply to shippers of multiple shipments, such as consolidators, non-vessel-operating common carriers and moving companies that do not file cargo manifest data direct with U.S. Customs.
   The Caribbean Shipowners Association will also raise its bunker surcharges on April 6, citing the continued escalation of fuel prices.
   For 20-foot containers, the surcharge will rise from $186 to $232. For 40-foot-long boxes, it will go up from $336 to $480.
   For U.S. inland transportation, charges will increase by $10 for local drayage, by $20 for trucking in Florida outside local drayage area and by $40 for transportation outside Florida.
   Member carriers of the Caribbean Shipowners Association are Bernuth Lines, CMA CGM, Crowley Liner Services, Interline, Maersk Sealand, Seaboard Marine, SeaFreight Line and Tropical Shipping.