The Importers Checklist

Prior to Shipment
• Fax request for current status.
• Review shipping & payment terms.
• Confirm that Customs Broker has been selected.
• Does Broker have Purchaser’s Power of Attorney?
• Does Purchaser have Customs Bond (Either Single or Continuous)?
• Confirm that supplier will include any Assists in shipment value?
• Confirm that country of origin product marking instructions are being followed.
• Confirm that supplier will use purchaser supplied US Customs Harmonized Number in shipping description.
• Specify to supplier transportation method and routing
• Confirm consignee, notify party, port, & markings and that buyer will receive copy of shipping papers
• Specify forwarder & broker if not included in P. O.
• Confirm that supplier or forwarder has routing.
• Confirm that transportation has been arranged.
• Confirm that freight methods and rates used in original landed cost estimates are being used.
• Confirm that some form of proof of origin will be sent to purchaser (No longer required for Customs Clearance, but may be needed for Customs’ Audit)
• Is an inspection certificate or other certification required & if so, is it complete.
• Confirm special packaging arrangements.
• Confirm hazardous cargo compliance.
• Consider strikes or any other significant International events that may cause delay.
• Confirm that procedure for transportation insurance coverage is being followed.

After Shipment Leaves Supplier
• Confirm that freight forwarder has freight and that booking was made per routing instructions.
• Confirm shipment is on intended vessel/flight.
• Determine if pre-clear through US Customs is possible.
• Check Documents received to insure correct consignee, notify party, destination and markings.
• Confirm forwarder has sent copies of documents to purchaser & broker
• Confirm broker is aware of shipment, has all necessary documents, and has been given inland shipping instructions.
• Prepare info for special clearances such as FDA if required.
• Confirm arrival with broker.
• Confirm Custom clearance with broker
• Obtain pro number, trailer number, name & phone number of inland carrier.
• Confirm inland delivery with inland carrier

Importer Security Filing 10 + 2 Information

On January 26, 2009, the new rule titled Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (commonly known as “10+2”) went into effect. This new rule applies to import cargo arriving to the United States by vessel. Failure to comply with the new rule could ultimately result in monetary penalties, increased inspections and delay of cargo. The information submitted in Importer Security Filings improves U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ability to identify high-risk shipments in order to prevent smuggling and ensure cargo safety and security.

What is an Importer Security Filing?
Under the new rule, before merchandise arriving by vessel can be imported into the United States, the “Importer Security Filing (ISF) Importer,” or their agent (e.g., licensed customs broker),
must electronically submit certain advance cargo information to CBP in the form of an Importer Security Filing. This requirement only applies to cargo arriving in the United States by ocean vessel;
it does not apply to cargo arriving by other modes of transportation.

Who is Responsible for the Filing?
The ISF Importer is required to submit the Importer Security Filing. The ISF Importer is the party causing the goods to arrive within the limits of a port in the United States by vessel. Typically, the ISF Importer is the goods’ owner, purchaser, consignee, or agent such as a licensed customs broker. However, for foreign cargo remaining on board (FROB), the ISF Importer is the carrier. For immediate exportation (IE) and transportation and exportation (T&E) in-bond shipments, and goods to be delivered to a foreign trade zone (FTZ), the ISF Importer is the party filing the IE, T&E, or FTZ documentation.

What Must Be Filed?
Shipments Consisting of Goods Intended to be Entered into the United States and Goods Intended to be Delivered to a Foreign Trade Zone ISF Importers, or their agent, must provide eight data elements, no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard a vessel destined to the United States. Those data elements include:
• Seller
• Buyer
• Importer of record number / FTZ applicant
identification number
• Consignee number(s)
• Manufacturer (or supplier)*
• Ship to party *
• Country of origin *
• Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States (HTSUS) number*

* ISF Importers have flexibility with respect to the submission of these four data elements. For these data elements, importers may submit a range of acceptable responses based on facts available to the ISF Importer at the time of submission. The Importer Security Filing must be updated as soon as more accurate or precise data becomes available and no later than 24 hours prior to the ship’s arrival at a U.S. port. Two additional data elements must be submitted as early as possible, but no later than 24 hours prior to the ship’s arrival at a U.S. port. These data elements are:
• Container stuffing location; and
• Consolidator

FROB, IE Shipments, and T&E Shipments
For shipments consisting entirely of FROB and shipments consisting entirely of goods intended to be transported in-bond as an IE or T&E, the Importer Security Filing must consist of five elements. Importer Security Filings for IE and T&E shipments must be submitted no later than 24 hours before the cargo is laden aboard a vessel destined to the United States and Importer Security Filings for FROB must be submitted any time prior to lading. The following five data elements must be submitted for FROB, IE and T&E shipments:
• Booking party
• Foreign port of unlading
• Place of delivery
• Ship to party
• Commodity HTSUS number

A bulletin from China-Air freight backlog slowing imports.