FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Importer Security Filing?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will require a “Security Filing” for all containerized or break bulk ocean borne cargo entering the United States. The import security filing (ISF) also known as 10+2 is the Department of Homeland Securities (DHS) strategy to better assess and identify “high risk shipments”, such as terrorist weapons and other dangerous materials from entering the USA. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will be requiring an Importer Security Filing (ISF) prior to vessel loading at foreign ports. The ISF will require 10 data elements from U.S. importers and 2 data set items from ocean carriers. The Importer Security Filing and additional data from carriers will enhance CBP’s ability to identify high-risk cargo shipments.
Who will be mandating 10+2?
Customs and Border Protection and Department of Homeland Security
When will it start?
The interim rule, known as 10+2, will take effect Jan. 25, 2009.
Who can file the Importer Security Filing?
The importer or his agent (broker or freight forwarder) will be responsible for filing the complete, accurate, and timely Importer Security Filing.
How complicated will the process be?
For you, the customers, it will not be difficult since MTS has already set up the system and made necessary coordination with US Customs. As long as MTS is provided with required information, ISF will be done with out any delay and problems.
Will the Importer Security Filing be required in all transportation modes?
This interim final rule is focused on ocean cargo. CBP is not exploring the expansion of the Importer Security Filing to other modes of transportation.
What about general confidentiality issues?
MTS is an ISO-9001 Certified Company. All information which MTS will receive regarding ISF filing will be kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to any other party. All MTS employees are trained according to ISO-9001 standards and every employee complies with these rules.
Will there be any penalty about new regulation?
Although this will be a new regulation, there will be fines to the importer of the records by US Customs if there will be a non compliance to this new regulation.
As an importer which information should I provide? What are the 10 Elements of ISF?
10 Elements of ISF 10:
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Manufacturer (or Supplier) name and address / MTS will learn from Suppliers
Name and address of entity that last manufactures, assembless, produces or grows the commodity or the name and address of the supplier in the country from which the goods are leaving.
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Seller name (shipper name in the Origin port) and address / Importer will provide to MTS
Name and address if the last known entity by whom the goods are sold or agreed to be sold.
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Container stuffing location / MTS will fill it out
Name and address (es) of physical location(s) where the goods were stuffed into the contanier. For break bulk, its where the goods were made “ship ready”.
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Consolidator (stuffer) name and address / MTS will fill it out
Name and address of the party who stuffed the container or arranged the stuffing of the contanier. For break bulk shipments, its who made the goods “ship ready” or the party who arranged the goods to be made “ship ready”.
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Buyer name and address / MTS will learn from Importer
Name and address of the last known entity to whom the goods are sold or are agreed to be sold.
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Ship to name and address (if contanier will be delivered to any other party than the consignee on the bill of lading) / MTS will learn from Importer
Name and address of the ultimate party who is scheduled to physically receive the delivery after the goods have been released from customs.
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Importer of record number:
IMPORTER OF RECORD NUMBER / FTZ APPLICANT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) number, Employer Identification Number (EIN), Social Security Number (SSN) OR CBP assigned number of the entity liable for payment of all duties and responsible for meeting all statutory and regulatory requirements incurred as a result of importation
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Consignee number:
IRS number, EIN, SSN, OR CBP assigned number of individuals or firms in the US on whose account the merchandise was shipped
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Country of origin of the goods / MTS will learn from the shipper.
Country of manufacture, production, or growth of the article, based on import laws and rules of the US.
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Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule number (6 digits) / MTS will learn this information from importer or shipper
Duty or statistical reporting number which the article is classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). The HTSUS number must be provided to the 6 digit level.
Why select MTS as the Filler?
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Low cost
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Professional Team
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Simplicity
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Confidentiality
Any last word of advice?
Don’t postpone. The time is now to prepare for 10+2. Before you know it, 10+2 will be mandatory and for those who are not prepared, there will be many complications and even fines directly from US Customs.