CBP Modifies its NCAP Test of Automated Truck Manifest
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a general notice which it states provides a modification to the National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning the transmission of automated truck manifest data.
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All Relevant Data Elements, Except "Marks and Numbers," Required to be Submitted
CBP states that the original September 13, 2004 notice announcing the test stated that the transmission of certain data elements is requested, but not required.
However, CBP now emphasizes that all relevant data elements (with the single exception of "marks and numbers," as explained below) are required to be submitted in the automated truck manifest submission.
The general notice additionally republishes the complete list of data elements relevant to participation in the test.
Certain Data Elements Required, Certain Others Required Where Applicable
In its September 13, 2004 notice, CBP stated that 12 data elements (numbered 1 - 12) were required under the test so as to be in compliance with advance electronic cargo information requirements as provided in CBP's December 5, 2003 final rule on its advance electronic presentation of cargo information requirements.
Additionally, the September 13, 2004 notice provided that, for purposes of the test, 18 additional data elements (numbered 13 - 30) having primarily to do with crew information and conveyance type were requested (rather than required). CBP now states that it had intended that these 18 data elements also be required for purposes of the test.
Another 39 data elements (numbered 31 - 69) having primarily to do with information concerning passengers, insurance, in-bond, and hazardous material are made conditional by the test and those elements are also required where applicable (i.e., where the conditions would require their submission).
CBP states that one data element, (numbered 70), described as "Marks and numbers (on packaging to be distinguished from numbers required by advance cargo information)," is considered to be an optional data element that may be submitted upon the discretion of the submitting party.
All Other Requirements/Aspects of Test Previously Announced Continue to be Applicable
CBP also states that all requirements and aspects of this NCAP test discussed in previous notices, except to the extent expressly modified by CBP's new notice, are hereby incorporated by reference into the new notice and continue to be applicable.
(On September 13, 2004, CBP published a notice announcing a test allowing participating Truck Carrier Accounts to transmit electronic manifest data in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), including advance cargo information as required by CBP's December 5, 2003 final rule.
Truck Carrier Accounts participating in the test have the ability to electronically transmit the truck manifest data and obtain releases of their cargo, crew, conveyances, and equipment via the ACE Portal or electronic data interchange (EDI) messaging. The Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is participating in the test. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/14/04 and 09/15/04 news, 04091410 and 04091515, for BP summaries of CBP's September 13, 2004 notice.)
See CBP's general notice for complete list of 30 "required," 39 "conditional," and 1 "optional" data elements for the truck manifest test.
CBP contact - Jeremy Baskin (jeremy.baskin@dhs.gov)
CBP general notice (FR Pub 03/21/05) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20051800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-5546.pdf.