CBP Updates its Inbound "Vessel Mode" FAQ on Advance Electronic Cargo Information Requirements
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a revised version of its frequently asked questions (FAQ) and responses on its final rule requiring, among other things, the advance electronic presentation of information for inbound vessel cargo.
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CBP has added certain new information in FAQ 16 (Empty Ocean Containers), added and deleted certain information in FAQ 26 ("Split" Bills of Lading), and added a new FAQ 27 (Automated System Outage).
Revised FAQ 16 - Empty Ocean Containers
FAQ 16 discusses when cargo declaration (CBP Form 1302) data should be transmitted for empty containers. CBP has expanded its response to include the following: A "C01" (CAMIR) or "VID" (X12) record must be completed for each empty container.
In addition, CBP newly states that a new bill of lading status indicator will be used to identify that a bill of lading covers only empty containers. The indicator of "2" will be used in the CAMIR (B01, position 48) and the indicator of "12" in the ANSI X12 (M1109) format. When the carrier arrives the vessel in the Automated Manifest System (AMS), a "1C" disposition code (entered and released) will be sent to the user and the bill status will post to "closed."
The system will edit to ensure that the CAMIR (C01, position 75) or ANSI X12 (VID10) shows the loaded condition as "E" for empty. If "E" is not present with the bill type of "12", the following error message will be generated: ERROR CODE: 211 - INVALID LOAD-EMPTY IND.
CBP notes that non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) are excluded from transmitting the empty bill of lading status indicator.
Revised FAQ 26 - "Split" Bills of Lading
Certain procedures for "split bill" reporting no longer effective May 8, 2006. FAQ 26 explains how a carrier documents a "split" bill of lading once a vessel sails. CBP has deleted some of its procedures for "split bill" reporting, which it states will no longer be effective May 8, 2006.
FAQ 26 now states that a new reference qualifier "OL" will be used to report the original bill when the bill of lading has been split after initial loading. The qualifier is reported in the CAMIR (B04, position 4-6) or ANSI X12 (N901). In addition, the original bill of lading number (SCAC followed by the up to 12 position alpha/numeric bill of lading sequence number) must be reported in the (B04 position 7) or ANSI X12 (N902).
Additionally, CBP newly states that the system will verify that the original bill is on-file (regardless of status deleted, open, closed excludes "shell" status) and proceed in processing. However, if the bill of lading shown in the B04 or N9 is not present the transmission is rejected. (See ITT's Online Archives or 08/17/05 news, 05081710, for BP summary of the August 12, 2005 version of FAQ 26 (including deleted provision) and other FAQs.)
New FAQ 27 - Automated System Outage
CBP has added a new FAQ 27, which discusses the appropriate measures that should be taken by Vessel Operating Carriers and Slot Charter Carriers (MVOCCs), Automated NVOCCs, and service centers/port authorities when the system is not available to provide cargo information to CBP in AMS.
Automated NVOCCs. With respect to automated NVOCCs, FAQ 27 provides steps that should be followed during an automated system outage, as stated below:
Contact your client representative immediately. If your client representative is not available, call the CBP Help Desk at (703) 921-6000 and report that you are an AMS participant and your system is down. Advise the CBP Help Desk that you have a CBP assigned Client Representative and give the Help Desk your Client Representative's name. The Help Desk will document the call and assign you a work ticket number.
Notify the OFO Manifest and Conveyance Branch via email at Manifest.Branch@dhs.gov identifying a point of contact (name and telephone number) and include an anticipated date and time when your system will be restored. You should also provide the name of your Client Representative and the work ticket number if one was open with the Help Desk.
If your system is inoperable for more than one day, contact your Client Representative each business day that your system is down and advise your Client Representative of the status on the restoration of your system.
If you have cargo on vessels that will load in foreign ports and your system is down and you are unable to transmit advance electronic cargo to CBP via Vessel AMS through an alternate service, then provide your cargo information data to an automated carrier (MVOCC) for input.
(See CBP's FAQ for entire text of new FAQ 27.)
"Vessel Mode" FAQ (dated 03/15/06) available at http://www.customs.gov/linkhandler/cgov/import/communications_to_trade/advance_info/vessel_faq.ctt/vessel_faq.doc