US extends customs security rules

Goods won’t be loaded if cargo descriptions are inadequate MAY 1 - marked the kick-off of phase two of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) “24-hour” rule. This followed a “softly, softly” phase-in, where only gross violations of the declarations were hit. Users seemed to comply with the game rules to a large degree. But still, the warning has gone out that a shipper gets hit with a “Do Not Load” message for any containerised cargo that has an invalid or incomplete cargo description. He can also be hit financially, with the CBP sternly warning that “monetary penalties” will be imposed for late submission of cargo declarations Next step starts this week (May 15) when the CBP will also slap “Do Not Load” notices on any shipment where there are “clear violations of the consignee name and address requirement”. And shippers moving cargoes via the US to other destinations - described as “foreign remaining on board (FROB)” cargo - will also have to play the game by the CBP rules, or face a fine. Under this, US Customs will slap on a fine for an invalid cargo description and on a consignment that has been loaded on the vessel without a 24-hour time frame for targeting submitted to CBP. First violation and the shipping lines can be hit with a US$5000 fine, then US$10000 for “any subsequent violation attributable to the master”. And NVOCCs (non-vessel operating common carriers) don’t escape the net with a US$5 000 for first offence, and US$5 000 thereafter.