Update on U.S. Customs Security Measures
January 15, 2003
Update on U.S. Customs
Security Measures
Advance Manifest Filing Requirement. The U.S. Customs
Service has issued a reminder that, as of December 2, 2002, vessel operators are
required to file a manifest at least 24 hours prior to loading cargo in a
foreign port when the cargo is bound for the United States. The agency is
granting a 60-day grace period before it commences sanctions against sea
carriers that fail to comply. View the press release online at
http://www.customs.treas.gov/hot-new/pressrel/2002/1202-00.htm.
A series of questions and answers on this new regulation has been posted on the
agency’s Web site at
http://www.customs.treas.gov/impoexpo/24hour_rule.pdf;
click Questions and Answers.
Canada-U.S. Smart Border Declaration. The Bush
Administration has signed a Smart Border Declaration with Canada. Among other
things, the Declaration provides for development of common standards for
biometric identifiers to be used in identification documents. View the news
release online at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021206-1.html.
Mandatory Pre-Departure Collection of Electronic Cargo
Information. U.S. Customs will hold a series of public meetings to assist in the
development of proposed regulations to provide for the mandatory collection by
Customs of electronic cargo information prior to importation into or exportation
from the United States. Separate meetings will be held to address specific
importation/exportation issues pertaining to air, sea, truck and rail cargo. The
meetings are open to interested members of the trade community. All will be held
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room B1.5-10 of the Ronald Reagan Building located at
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. Interested parties must provide
Customs with notice of intent to attend a particular meeting at least five
business days prior to the scheduled date for that meeting. Notice may be
provided to Robyn Day at 1-202-927-1440 or via e-mail at traderelations@customs.treas.gov.
The meeting dates are:
Air Cargo January 14, 2003
Truck Cargo January 16, 2003
Rail Cargo January 21, 2003
Sea Cargo January 23, 2003
Additional information is available online at
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2002/02-29931.htm.