Browning: U.S. companies well positioned for advance manifest rules

Browning: U.S. companies well positioned for advance manifest rules    Companies that have successfully adapted their software and processes to transmit data as required by the 24-hour rule will have an advantage as other countries copy the U.S. model for security, said Douglas Browning, deputy commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.
   Speaking at the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders’ conference in Albuquerque, N.M. Nov. 1, Browning said the implementation of the rule requiring pre-departure filing of cargo information 24 hours prior to vessel departure has gone much smoother than many importers originally feared early this year. He noted that Customs has processed 7.5 million bills of lading through its automated targeting system and only issued 600 notices denying vessel operators from unloading or loading a ship.
   Canada plans to implement nearly identical rules next spring, the European Union has submitted legislation to the European Commission to create a similar requirement and Mexican officials are in discussions with U.S. Customs about how to adopt an advance cargo notification system of their own.
   “To the extent that those of you who were involved in this process got out front of the process, you are going to be much further ahead of the game when these requirements become global in nature,” Browning said.
   Browning said the fact that the level of compliance is high while disruptions are low for electronic pre-filing of ocean imports bodes well for the trade community when rules dictating advance transmission of information for other modes go into effect in the coming months.
   But Peter Powell, chief executive of C.H. Powell and chairman of the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, said he did not share the deputy commissioner’s optimism.
   “We didn’t hear how many of those 7.5 million shipments experienced delays when they arrived in the United States. And I would estimate that the number was quite high,” he said during a panel later that day.