WSC, U.S. shippers meet on EU 24-hour rule

WSC, U.S. shippers meet on EU 24-hour rule    The World Shipping Council on Thursday conducted an information session for U.S.-based shipper and forwarder trade associations regarding the European Union's new customs cargo security filing requirements.
   The EU rules are to enter into force Jan. 1 and will require the documentation of containerized cargo shipments arriving in European ports to be electronically filed with European customs authorities no later than 24 hours before vessel loading.
   'The WSC and its member companies have been working on the many issues involved in the establishment of this new regime for the last several years,' said Chris Koch, president and chief executive officer of the Washington, D.C.-based council, in a statement. 'The implementation date is now less than six months away. While carriers are aware of and preparing for these new filing requirements, it is important that shippers and forwarders around the world understand that they too will have to adjust their business processes in order to ensure compliance with the new rules.

Koch

   'Our ocean carrier members felt it was important to proactively engage the shipper community and address questions or concerns well in advance of the effective date. All shippers and exporters, whose goods arrive in the European Union for importation or transshipment or simply to stay on board the vessel en route to another destination, will be affected. The liner shipping industry decided to begin outreach efforts outside of Europe by meeting with these U.S. organizations that collectively represent thousands of businesses engaged in European commerce.'
   The meeting was attended by representatives from the National Industrial Transportation League, American Association of Exporters and Importers, Agricultural Transportation Coalition, National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
   'Shippers and forwarders will have to make changes under these new rules, much like the process changes they initiated when the U.S. implemented its 24-hour rule,' said NIT League President Bruce Carlton. 'We appreciate the World Shipping Council's efforts to get the word out on this issue, and to help us provide our members with a good understanding of what will be required.' ' Eric Johnson