The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency require all ocean carriers or NVOCCs (Non Vessel Operating Common Carriers) to submit complete cargo manifest to respective US/Canada Customs atleast 24 hours prior to loading if the vessel is passing through US and Canada ports.
Details of the manifest must be based on actual declaration of the cargo by the shipper through the Shipping Instructions (Master and HBL) and this must be submitted at the Origin as per the deadlines specified so that the cargo obtains an acceptance from the US/Canada customs atleast 24 hours prior cargo being loaded at Compliance Load port.
The non-compliance to these regulations could lead to cargo hold, significant penalties against the carrier or NVOCC, along with the removal of container for inspection by US customs and/or the denial of permission to unload vessel cargo and the possibility of returning the cargo to the load port.
We have found several cases whereby the declarations are not submitted in a timely manner resulting in cargo being put on HOLD or having to replanned for weeks at transshipment port. This results in complex coordination with all the stakeholders and incurs additional handling, storage and shifting cost at the transshipment.
We recommend below guidelines to avoid the Cargo holds and delays.
- Shipping Instructions (Master & HBL) must be submitted as per the deadlines and we will ensure these are manifested and sent to the Customs for approval
- For all NVOCCs – submit actual shipper/consignee details (house b/ls) directly through to US/Canada customs as per the deadline
The new shipping instructions cut-off will be available on the booking confirmation copies and can also be accessed on our Maersk website under Export – Cut-off for each country
We shall continue to check for Advance Manifest Cargo declaration compliance. Any failure that results cargo in ‘Not Ok to Load’ from authorities and subsequently requires us to replan shipment - will result in a ‘Pending Advance Manifest Requisites’ fee of USD 100 per container. This will be effective from 1st August, 2020.
We encourage you to meet all the relevant Advance Manifest Cargo Declaration requisites in a timely manner and prevent undue cargo flow disruptions.
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