Monday, February 22, 2010

ISF Day of Reckoning Arrives

ISF Day of Reckoning Arrives

It's safe to say that if your company is not filing the mandatory Importer Security Filing (ISF) for all maritime cargo bound for the US by today, that you can expect difficulty getting your shipment(s) released upon arrival in the U.S.

For more information on ISF filing and the most comprehensive easy-to-use system for filing ISF's and customs entries at a savings of up to 90% off ordinary costs please contact TRG Direct.

TRG Direct President Michael Laden has been very active attending CBP ISF Public Outreach Sessions at various venues around the country and in Europe. TRG Direct has been instrumental in working closely with CBP to ensure that all problematic system issues are addressed and remedied during this critical non-enforcement phase.

Friday, February 5, 2010

What do I do if I get a No Bill on File Message with my ISF?


There are many reasons for No Bill on File messages when filing your importer security filing. Here are some causes and what you can do to rectify them:

1. The bill of lading will not match if you file the ISF before the BoL is entered into AMS. You do not need to retransmit; Customs will continue to try to match the BoL.
2. The bill of lading may not match right away if the goods hit several ports before coming to the US. The BoL may not match until it leaves the last port bound for the US. There is no need to retransmit; Customs will continue to try to match the BoL.
3. The BoL will not match if the wrong Bill Type is indicated. If the BoL is marked as a Straight bill in AMS but a House bill on the ISF, the bills will not match. If this is the problem, select the correct Bill Type in the Header Screen, Save changes, and retransmit the ISF.
4. If none of these solutions work and/or if the goods are about to leave the last port bound for the US and you still don't have a bill match, it is good practice to call to verify that you have the correct Bill Type, SCAC code, and Bill Number. If your BoL is wrong, update the ISF and retransmit. If all the information is correct, there is nothing you can do but wait for Customs to match it on their end. For some reason, some BoLs never match; this is why Customs will not be issuing fines or penalties for bill matches until their system is more refined.

At this time, Customs is not fining, and the way they are matching bills is still imperfect. The important thing to do at this time is to file an Importer Security Filing for every ocean entry.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

ISF Bonding Requirements by TRG l Register Now!

New bonding requirements for low volume importers
Save the date! TRG is hosting a free webinar to discuss the new bonding requirements for Importer Security Filing.
February 4th 11am CT Register Now

January 26th 2010 marked the official implementation of Importer Security Filing. Beginning this day all importers filing an ISF on their ocean cargo must have appropriate new bonding in place.
If…
1) You have a shipment entering the U.S. via ocean goods in the next year, and
2) You import using single transaction Customs bonds
…now is the time for you to take a look into purchasing a continuous import bond.

Multiple Single Entry Bonds or 1 Continuous Bond?
In the past, it was more economical for low volume importers to purchase single entry bonds. However, U.S. Customs now requires that if a single transaction bond is used to clear an entry, an additional single entry ISF bond to be in place. This increases the costs of single entry transactions; however, TRG has the solution.

Since 1991, TRG has provided continuous Customs bonds direct to importers. The continuous import bond will cover every shipment over a one year period (both entry and ISF).