CUSTOMS TO HOLD AES VESSEL TRANSPORTATION MODULE MEETING

CUSTOMS TO HOLD AES VESSEL TRANSPORTATION MODULE MEETING    U.S. Customs has launched a marketing campaign to get the ocean carrier industry signed up to use its new Automated Export System Vessel Transportation Module.
   Customs began developing the module three years ago to help take paper out of its outbound manifest process. A “limited” release of the module was conducted at the Port of Charleston, S.C., in July 2000. The module was released nationwide on June 1.
   The agency will hold a meeting about the module in Newark, N.J., on July 25. Ocean carriers are encouraged to attend.
   At the meeting, carriers interested in the electronic transmission of their transportation export data will have an opportunity to sign an AES Letter of Intent to participate in the module. The meeting will also include an overview of AES, details of the Vessel Transportation Module, and its benefits to the carriers, Customs said.
   So far, five ocean carriers are using the module. They are P&O Nedlloyd, Hapag-Lloyd, OOCL, Lykes Lines and TMM. Carriers have the ability to roll out the module nationwide or on a port-by-port basis.
   Customs says the module benefits both the carriers and the agency’s outbound field staff.
   For the carriers, it reduces costs to prepare and deliver manifests to Customs; raises the level of compliance with export laws and regulations; and extends the timeframe to submit manifest information from the present four days to a maximum 10 calendar days after vessel departure.
   Customs has the ability to electronically match exporters’ commodity data with carriers’ booking and manifest data to better focus on high-risk shipments. By receiving this data early, Customs can more efficiently schedule cargo for exam so that shipments are less likely to miss their vessel sailings. Up-front edits also help improve the accuracy and completeness of data filed to Customs.
   For more information about the AES Vessel Transportation Module meeting or to attend, contact Customs’ Outbound Programs office in Washington at (202) 927-6060.