As you know, Importer Security Filing (10+2 ISF) is a government mandate requiring importers to file additional data elements for all shipments entering the U.S. via ocean cargo.
Tips for your Importer Security Filing success!
As you continue to improve your ISF program to avoid the $5,000 penalties, please review these helpful tips. If you are using a broker/freight forwarder or you are filing direct, keep these in mind.
• Evaluate your ISF record: Have you requested your ISF progress report? Whoever is filing your ISF should provide you with a copy of this report that comes directly from U.S. Customs (CBP). If your ISF filer has not done so already, request this from him/her or contact me to see how you can request this directly from CBP. See an example ISF report here.
• Always File: You are better off filing late than not filing at all. Your policies and procedures should make sure that each ocean shipment has an ISF filed 24 hours prior to the departure of the vessel OR sooner. However, should an ISF be missed, your policies should ensure that an ISF is filed as soon as possible before the ship reaches the port of arrival.
• Keep Notes: Make sure that you and/or your filer maintain detailed records of everything done in order to file an accurate and timely ISF. Should mitigation need to take place for an ISF, CBP will want to see that you performed due diligence to file correctly and on-time.
• Ask Questions: The more you understand the process, the smoother the filing will go. In most cases, you are doing the majority of the ISF filing and your filer is simply hitting the transmit button. It is up to you to be aware of problems that may occur. Review our FAQs here.
• Evaluate resources: Should you find that your ISF compliance is below par and your costs to import are increasing due to ISF penalties, look into the other options available. I’d be happy to discuss in detail with you the pros of direct filing and see where you will be able to decrease your costs while increasing your compliance.
No comments:
Post a Comment