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.
Showing posts with label isf compliance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label isf compliance. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Monday, October 5, 2009
Begin Filing Your ISF Today
We are getting so close to the Jan 26th deadline. As D-Day approaches importers are scrambling to find their compliance solutions. Many importers began filing by using their broker. They said, "I don't have time to deal with this, you deal with it". Now as they begin to review their report card and find that even though their broker is filing, they still are not compliant.
HELP! Frantically importers are looking to other options, some think it is too late to learn how to file in-house, but they are wrong. We have about 3 months to get you up and running and compliant. Let's start today. Atalanta, a direct filer of ISF and customs entries through TRG Direct is 99% compliant after filing ISF in-house after 3 months. It is doable. The most important thing is that CBP sees that you are taking the right steps toward compliance.
Call us today, we can help. 800-685-6082
HELP! Frantically importers are looking to other options, some think it is too late to learn how to file in-house, but they are wrong. We have about 3 months to get you up and running and compliant. Let's start today. Atalanta, a direct filer of ISF and customs entries through TRG Direct is 99% compliant after filing ISF in-house after 3 months. It is doable. The most important thing is that CBP sees that you are taking the right steps toward compliance.
Call us today, we can help. 800-685-6082
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
ISF Vendor & Supplier Compliance
Are you still contemplating how to establish and enforce the advanced data reporting requirements under Importer Security Filing? Like preparing for a 400-meter relay, good communication and training is imperative, especially with something like this that carries stiff monetary penalties or that could result in a “Do Not Load” message next January and requires significant change to the current methods in place for centuries. Is your supply chain ready to hand off your ISF baton?
Importer Security Filing Preparation
To reinforce the necessity for the ten (10) ISF data (excluding the bill of lading number, called the “phantom eleventh”) elements, we strongly suggests that you consider amending your purchase order or other contractual agreements used in the transaction to require the vendor or supplier’s compliance with ISF requirements. Some importers are also adding conditions to financial instruments like letters of credit. Placing such language in your contractual documents could prove to be a mitigating factor if CBP issues you a penalty for untimely or inaccurate data after January 2010.
We also suggest that you contact and closely coordinate activities with the ocean carriers, NVOCC’s and freight forwarders that participate in your import program. Meetings between your supplier base and the carrier(s) at origin should be implemented for purposes of ironing out new protocols and procedures for issuing the bill of lading number in advance. Most major ocean carriers (Maersk, APL/NOL, Evergreen, Hanjin, NYK, K-Line, OOCL and others) are well informed on ISF; therefore, if leveraged properly, their overseas offices can assist you with educating your vendor and supplier base. We recommend that you contact your US-based carrier representative and request their overseas offices engage problematic vendors or otherwise help you communicate this new requirement.
If your ISF baton is dropped between transfers, immediate disqualification may occur. Some importers are instituting vendor penalties through their vendor compliance programs to incentivize compliance and to help offset the potential cost of CBP penalties levied against the importer.
Suggested Notifications For Your Suppliers & Vendors
It seems that the two most troubling situations for importers right now are the inability to get the bill of lading number in advance and/or lack of suppliers and vendors.
If you are currently direct filing with TRG Direct, you can access these letters within your account under Resources. Suggested reading or attachments to your correspondence might include an Adobe copy of CBP Interim Final Rule (Federal Register Notice), copies of your new company polices or procedures, copies of other publications concerning ISF, and/or letters underscoring the importance and their support for the initiative from Senior Management.Our ISF direct filing customers are free to use our suggested language or some variation thereof for their company or particular situation in an effort to get compliance with their ISF program; of course, the tone can also be adjusted according to personal preferences and corporate culture.
Importer Security Filing Preparation
To reinforce the necessity for the ten (10) ISF data (excluding the bill of lading number, called the “phantom eleventh”) elements, we strongly suggests that you consider amending your purchase order or other contractual agreements used in the transaction to require the vendor or supplier’s compliance with ISF requirements. Some importers are also adding conditions to financial instruments like letters of credit. Placing such language in your contractual documents could prove to be a mitigating factor if CBP issues you a penalty for untimely or inaccurate data after January 2010.
We also suggest that you contact and closely coordinate activities with the ocean carriers, NVOCC’s and freight forwarders that participate in your import program. Meetings between your supplier base and the carrier(s) at origin should be implemented for purposes of ironing out new protocols and procedures for issuing the bill of lading number in advance. Most major ocean carriers (Maersk, APL/NOL, Evergreen, Hanjin, NYK, K-Line, OOCL and others) are well informed on ISF; therefore, if leveraged properly, their overseas offices can assist you with educating your vendor and supplier base. We recommend that you contact your US-based carrier representative and request their overseas offices engage problematic vendors or otherwise help you communicate this new requirement.
If your ISF baton is dropped between transfers, immediate disqualification may occur. Some importers are instituting vendor penalties through their vendor compliance programs to incentivize compliance and to help offset the potential cost of CBP penalties levied against the importer.
Suggested Notifications For Your Suppliers & Vendors
It seems that the two most troubling situations for importers right now are the inability to get the bill of lading number in advance and/or lack of suppliers and vendors.
If you are currently direct filing with TRG Direct, you can access these letters within your account under Resources. Suggested reading or attachments to your correspondence might include an Adobe copy of CBP Interim Final Rule (Federal Register Notice), copies of your new company polices or procedures, copies of other publications concerning ISF, and/or letters underscoring the importance and their support for the initiative from Senior Management.Our ISF direct filing customers are free to use our suggested language or some variation thereof for their company or particular situation in an effort to get compliance with their ISF program; of course, the tone can also be adjusted according to personal preferences and corporate culture.
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