FCS Import2000 ready to interface with Canada’s manifest system

FCS Import2000 ready to interface with Canada’s manifest system    Flagship Customs Services has expanded its Internet-based Import2000 system to include the ability for vessel operators and freight forwarders to submit ocean manifest information to the Canada Border Services Agency’s Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) System.
   The Canadian government’s version of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection’s 24-hour rule for filing ocean shipment information prior to loading cargo on vessels overseas goes into effect April 19. Under this rule, the Canada Border Services Agency will require manifests from carriers and forwarders 24 hours prior loading goods on ships.
   “Now with the addition of ACI, we are able to bring the clients a unified North American customs service,” said Robert Foley, FCS president, in a statement. “Many of our existing Import2000 clients have already signed on for ACI in anticipation of the April deadline.”
   FCS’s Import2000 provides more than 250 companies worldwide with access to U.S. Customs’ Automated Manifest System. The Silver Spring, Md.-based Internet application service provider has become the largest U.S. Customs-approved data service center for AMS filings.
   FCS started developing its Import2000-ACI Service for Canada in late 2003, with an initial completion date for March. Import2000-ACI Service allows the user to share data and features between U.S. Customs' AMS filing accounts and ACI filing accounts, including user access, party profiles and agent groups.
   Users are also able to have a single entry for Canadian FROB (freight remaining on board)/U.S. discharge bill of lading information to avoid double date entry, and also single entry for U.S. FROB/Canadian FROB bill of lading information again to avoid double date entry, FCS said.
   The company said the Import2000-ACI Service has the same “look, feel and operation” as its U.S. Customs AMS filing counterpart, and should minimize implementation and training efforts for users.
   For more information about FCS’s Import2000-ACI and other FCS trade services, access online: https://www.tradegate2000.com.