CBP Issues Sixth Version of its FAQ on Mandatory Advance Electronic Information Requirements for Inbound Air Cargo
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued its sixth version (dated December 2, 2004) of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and responses regarding its final rule requiring the advance electronic presentation of information for inbound air cargo.
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According to CBP, this December 2, 2004 version reflects updates to FAQs 2, 18, 32, and 37.
This is Part I of a two-part series of summaries on this December 2, 2004 FAQ, and covers updated FAQ 32. See future issue of ITT for Part II.
Updated FAQ 32 - Quantity to Be Reported
New Q&A. CBP has added a new question to FAQ 32 on what would be the required quantity to report for other types of equipment into which cargo may be loaded.
CBP responds that the following chart may be used as guidelines to determine what quantity should be reported for cargo loaded in various types of equipment:
(CBP notes that although letters, documents and mail are not subject to this final rule, when a carrier uses Air AMS to report such articles under the provisions of other CBP regulations and directives, these guidelines may be used.)
| Type of Equipment | Description | Air AMS Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Skid | A pallet made of wood, plastic or other material. The items aboard the skid may be secured with shrink-wrap, corrugated cardboard, a strap or other similar material. | The number of boxes, cartons, packages or other similar units loaded on the skid. |
| 1 Unit Load Device (ULD) containing | A properly identified carrier container or metal flat form pallet with or without sides. | The number of boxes, cartons, packages, other similar units or loaded in the ULD. |
| 1 Fiberboard or Cardboard Box | A completely sealed or otherwise enclosed box containing one or more units. | 1 piece |
| 1 Bale | Garments or other materials in a sealed or otherwise enclosed sack. | 1 piece |
| 1 Postal Mail Bag | A bag containing material to be delivered to the appropriate postal authority | 1 piece |
| 1 Airline Company Mail Bag | Company documents only in a sealed sack. | 1 piece |
| 1 Courier Bag | A bag containing a variety of items including both document and non-document materials | The total number of items contained within the courier bag |
| 1 Bundle | A number of items that do not have any external packaging but are merely secured by a strap, bracket or similar device. For example, carpets secured by a rope. | The total number of items secured in the bundle. |
| 1 Drum | A metal, plastic or wooden barrel or similar device containing bulk merchandise such as liquid or grain | 1 piece |
Revised Q&A. CBP has updated FAQ 32 in order to revise the answer to the question on what will happen if the carrier incorrectly reports the master air waybill record as 1 piece and the carrier or other Air AMS participant attempts to transmit the house air waybill records with a sum total quantity of 100.
CBP now responds that Air AMS edits no longer reject air waybill records when the sum total of the house air waybill record quantities exceeds the associated master air waybill. However, each Air AMS participant is still required by regulation to report the required quantities.
(The question portion of this revised Q&A has also been clarified by specifying "1 piece" (rather than just "1").)
(See ITT's Online Archives or 11/29/04 news, 04112905, for BP summary of CBP's fifth version of this FAQ.)
CBP's sixth version of its air FAQ (dated 12/02/04) available at http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/communications_to_industry/advance_info/air_faq_cargo.ctt/air_faq_cargo.doc