Haight Gardner Holland & Knight, Washington DC, has provided us with the following information.

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Readers are reminded that the U.S. Customs requirement that cargo information for import shipments by vessel to be filed electronically comes into effect on March 4, 2004. Under the automated manifest system (AMS), carriers must submit a cargo manifest at least 24 hours prior to loading in a foreign port (except for bulk cargoes, where the manifest is to be submitted at least 24 hours prior to arrival). The requirement for filing of an advance cargo manifest has been in effect for over a year, but now it will have to be filed electronically. The cargo manifest must include the carrier’s Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), among other things. The carrier must also have an international carrier bond. Arrangements for obtaining a SCAC and an international carrier bond should be completed soon, if not yet in place. The regulation establishing these requirements was promulgated on December 5, 2003.

Link to Federal Register: 68 Fed. Reg. 68139

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For further information please contact Dennis L. Bryant at 202-828-1865 (dbryant@hklaw.com)

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