U.S Customs regulation is requiring ocean carrier or qualified non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) to transmit electronic cargo manifest to the agency 24 hours before cargo is loaded at a foreign port onto a ship destined for the United States...

As part of global efforts to improve cargo security, the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) has introduced ACI (Advance Commercial Information) similar to U.S Customs 24 hours advanced cargo manifest rule and it will take effect with April 19,04

On 12 December 2002, contracting governments adopted amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, to enhance security of ships and port facilities.

Container Security Initiative (CSI) is a government-to-government initiative in which the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sign bilateral agreements with their counterparts in different countries. Under CSI, U.S. Customs agents are deployed at CSI ports to help identify and inspect high-risk containers before they are loaded on vessels bound for the U.S.

The first phase of CSI focused on program implementation at the top 20 foreign ports. These ports ship approximately two-thirds of the volume of containers to the U.S.; governments from those ports have already agreed to implement CSI.

According to U.S. Customs, between 11 and 13 European ports are expected to be CSI ports in Phase II, in addition to 10 ports in other parts of the world. For a list of participating ports around the world and other related information, please refer to the resources below.

The Bioterrorism Act (BTA) was passed in 2002 in response to the need to enhance the security of the United States after the events of Sept 11, 2002.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published two regulations:

The purpose of these regulations is to help protect the public from attack on the nation's food supply.

Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) is a joint initiative between customs importers, terminal operators, carriers and others in the supply chain to self-assess security.

This initiative adjusts security standards where necessary and communicates these new practices to ensure tighter security to our vendors and other entities in the supply chain.

For detailed information about C-TPAT see the following links.

North American countries will enforce their regulations concerning Wood Packaging Material (WPM) for cargo imported to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Effective September 16, 2005 all WPM are required to be heat-treated or fumigated and marked with an approved international mark certifying treatment. This rule change affects all customers utilizing WPM in their North America import cargo.

The amended regulations are aligned with international standards approved by the United Nations in March 2002 and are designed to prevent the transfer of insect pests and to standardize the use of wood packaging products in the global supply chain.

Where WPM is not properly treated and marked, port authorities are permitted to order the immediate re-export of the WPM or have it treated or destroyed at importer's expense.

If you are involved with the importation of WPM, we strongly encourage you to refer to the USDA website which provides additional information regarding these changes.

Please contact your local HMM sales or customer service representative if you have any further questions.

AEO is a status that is granted by European Customs to reliable traders that comply with criteria and offer a high degree of security in respect of their role in the supply chain. As a key element of the supply chain, HMM has signified an intent to apply for accreditation in both the areas of customs procedures and safety & security procedures in order to ensure our part of your own supply chain is secure.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 'Importer Security Filing (ISF) and Additional Carrier Requirements' otherwise known as '10+2' regulation will go into effect January 26, 2009. The regulation allows for a phased-in compliance period of up to one year, whereby CBP will work with parties to achieve the required compliance. This new information is in addition to the existing “24 hour Rule” reporting requirements. CBP believes the additional information will enhance their Automated Targeting System for cargo screening.

These new regulations will impact your cargo shipments to the U.S. and we encourage you to become involved, allowing your cargo to move as quickly and efficiently as possible. Below we have summarized the “10” items which will require your attention...

As part of the World Customs Organization (WCO) initiative, China Customs will impose a new advanced manifest filing system to which a testing and transition period will be effective from 1st January 2009.

Probation Period (2009 Jan 1st ~ 2009 Mar. 31st ( or 2009 Jun 30th))

Thereafter, ocean carriers are obliged to receive your complete B/L Instructions no later than 3 working days prior to vessel 'arrival' (ETA) at any origin base-port. This advanced Documentation cutoff time enables the carrier to receive all B/L's, process, translate and file electronically the full manifest data with Chinese Customs within their own 48-hours deadline of the ETA at origin base-port...

As you know, effective October 1, 2008 all U.S. Principal Party in Interests (Exporter) and authorized agents (Forwarders) must file their Shipper's Export Declarations (SED) electronically via the Automated Export System (AES) 24 hours prior to cargo loading. The Carriers are not to load any cargo without the ITN, the AES post-departure statement or the AES exemption statement...

We would like to inform you of upcoming EU regulation, "Entry Summary Declaration (ENS)".
This regulation is applicable to all the inbound shipment entering the customs territory of the European Community or remaining on board (FROB) effective December 31, 2010.
Under this rule, all the carriers are required to submit a list of legislation-defined data elements to EU Customs office of the vessel's first EU calling port at least 24 hours prior to cargo loading onto EU bound vessel.
HMM is responsible for the timely electronic transmission of the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) and we will transmit one ENS per B/L or Seaway Bill.
ENS must be submitted electronically by vessel to the customs office of first entry and this Customs office will carry out a security risk assessment after getting ENS.