CBP Trade Outreach - Register Today

CBP is hosting trade outreach events in various locations around the country to provide the trade community with an opportunity to learn more about the new Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (a.k.a. ISF/”10+2”) interim final rule. These events are intended to give the importing and filing community a basic understanding of how to fulfill the new requirements. Space is limited so please pre-register using the CBP on-line registration process.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_outreach/09_outreach_schl.xml

August:Philadelphia, PA - Wednesday August 19, 2009 (On-Line Registration opens August 3, 2009)( Philadelphia Registration ) ( Philadelphia Cancellation )


Seattle/Tacoma, WA - Wednesday August 19, 2009 (On-line Registration opens August 3, 2009)( Seattle Registration ) ( Seattle Cancellation )



Boston, MA - Wednesday August 26, 2009 (On-line Registration opens August 10, 2009)( Boston Registration ) ( Boston Cancellation )



Houston, TX - Wednesday August 26, 2009 (On-line Registration opens August 10, 2009)( Houston Registation ) ( Houston Cancellation )



September:Baltimore, MD – Wednesday, September 02, 2009 (On-line Registration opens August 17,2009)( Baltimore Registration ) ( Baltimore Cancellation )



Long Beach, CA – Wednesday, September 02, 2009 (On-line Registration opens August 17,2009)( Long Beach Registration ) ( Long Beach Cancellation )



Miami, FL – Wednesday, September 09, 2009 (On-line Registration opens August 24, 2009)( Miami Registration ) ( Miami Cancellation )



Charleston, SC – Wednesday, September 09, 2009 (On-line Registration opens August 24, 2009)( Charleston Registration ) ( Charleston Cancellation )



Chicago, IL – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 (On-line Registration opens September 4, 2009)( Chicago Registration ) ( Chicago Cancellation )



Oakland/San Francisco, CA – Wednesday, September 23, 2009 (On-line Registration opens September 4, 2009)( Oakland/San Francisco Registration ) ( Oakland/San Francisco Cancellation )



Washington, DC - Friday, September 25, 2009 (On-line Registration opens September 4, 2009)( Washington Registration ) ( Washington Cancellation )



Norfolk, VA – Wednesday, September 30, 2009 (On-line Registration opens September 14, 2009)( Norfolk Registration ) ( Norfolk Cancellation )



Newark, NJ – Wednesday, September 30, 2009 (On-line Registration opens September 14, 2009)( Newark Registration ) ( Newark Cancellation )

Importer Security Filing Software Demo

TRG Direct is a web-based importer security filing software. View this demonstration of our system or contact us today for a private demonstration of our system.

Or sign up for our FREE WEBINAR:

August 12th 11AM CT https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/847719883

August 26th 11AM CT https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/160213243

Sept 2nd 11AM CT https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/553106835

Sept 16th 11AM CT https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/723325202

10+2 ISF Webinar - Register Now

Sign up for TRG Direct's Importer Security Filing Webinar

Next Available Dates:

July 29th 11 AM CT https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/959358442

August 12th 11AM CT https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/847719883

Space is filling up fast so register now!!

If you are unable to make these times, please call us (847-756-7553) to scheduled a personalized demonstration or view our online demo.

Importer Security Filing Compliance

Are you still contemplating how to establish and enforce 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 could result in a "Do Not Load" message next January and requires significant change to the current methods in place for centries. 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 suggest that you consider amending your purchase order or other contractual agreements used in the transaction to require the vendor of supplier's compliance with ISF requirements. Some importers are also adding conditions to financial instruments like letter of credit. Placing such language in your contractual documents could prove to be a mitigation 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 your ocean carriers, NVOCC's and freight forwarders participating in your import program. Meetings should be initiated between your supplier base and the carrier(s) at origin for purposes of ironing out new protocols and procedures for issuing the bill of lading number in advance. Since most major ocean carriers (Maersk, APL/NOL, Evergreen, Hanjim, 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 ofices engage problematic vendors or otherwise help you communicate this new requirement.

If your ISF Baton is dropped between transers, immediate disqualification may occur. Some imprters 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 importer right now are the inability to get the bill of lading number in advance and/or lack of cooperation by suppliers and vendors. To that end, TRG Direct has developed recommended notifications for TRG Direct filers to send to 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 policies or procedures, copies of other publications concerning ISF, and/or letters underscoring the importance and the support for the initiative from Senior Management.

Our ISF direct filing customers are free to use our suggested language or some variation thereor adapted for their company or particualr situatio 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.

Sign Up Today!

We are nearing the 11th hour of Importer Security Filing. The mitigation guidelines were published in Cusoms BUlletin & Decisions on July 17th. At this time reality is setting in for many importers who have not prepared for this very serious regulation with stiff monetary penalties.

6 Months Down 6 More To Go

Rich DiNucci, Director, Secure Freight Initiative, recentrly presented statistics on the industry's compliance over the first six months of the ISF implementation phase. Customs and Border Protection has received 1.4 million ISFs from 57,000 importers. Of these fiings 46% have been timely. Is your company on of the 57,000? If so, keep it up, CBP will recognize your effort and you will be rewarded. If not, call TRG Direct today and we can get you set up with an ISF direct filing program within days. Face the facts, your progress during this probationary period will be a factor next January when fines/penalties come into play.

ISF Liquidated Damages

Four factors that may cause a loss of integrity in the ISF may result in liquedated damages. These include; failure to submit, late submission, failure to update or failure to withdraw. Penaltry amounts will be assessed as $5,000 per ISF transmission up to $10,000. The first and second vioations made by the company may be forgiven for less than the $5,000 penalty.

6 Mitigation Factos

There will be six mitigation factors used to determine the strength of the liquidated damages and whether or not the penalties are dismissed.

1. Progress of the importer's ISF program,
2. Percentage of ISFs containing violations,
3. Tier 2 & 3 C-TPAT members will receive consideration up to 50%,
4. Action taken by the importer after a violation has occurred,
5. Circumstances beyond the importer's control,
6. Inaccurate information received by another party within the supply chain.

It's Not Too Late. Your ISF Solution is Here.

Become a direct filing partner with TRG Direct to take control of your ISF. We can get you up and filing within days and help guide you through this new regulation. Let us help you develop a successful direct filing program and prove to CBP you are committed to compliance. Not only is TRG Direct the most user friendly system available, you can filed your ISF for onloy $3 - $5.

Importer Security Filing for Carnets

A quick blurb on Importer Security Filing for Carnets

As of January 26th, 2009, if you have goods moving by ocean transport on a future carnet, or goods returning to the US on an already-issued carnet, you are required to make an Importer Security Filing prior to re-import into the U.S. The Importer Security Filing (ISF aka 10+2) requires certain shipment data to be provided to CBP 24 hours prior to the goods being loaded on the ship departing the overseas port and bound for the U.S.*

ISF Solution for Carnet Users:

Corporation for International Business offers an ISF Direct-Filing Module. Using the ISF Direct-Filing module will allow carnet holders to provide the required information directly to CBP for a modest fee, without using the services of an agent, Freight Forwarder or, Customs House Broker. Contact the ISF Carnet HelpLine at 877-227-6387 for additional information.

For more information contact the Corporation for International Business, a partner in TRG Direct.

Importer Security Filing Report Cards

It´s graduation day January 2010 where do you find yourself? Has U.S. Customs voted you valedictorian, a roll model to all ISF filers, or will you be sitting in the stands watching your colleagues receive their diplomas? If you haven´t been putting forth your good faith effort to file your ISF you will be starting back at square one fighting to catch up.

ISF Report Cards - Click here to see an example.

U.S. Customs is providing ISF report cards to importers who request them. This is to be used as an educational tool for reflection on the ISFs filed by the importer. Since we are still in a non penalty phase ISF filers should be using this report to understand the timeliness and accuracy of their filings. I suggest importers take of this offer to help yourself prepare for graduation. To register for your ISF report please send an email to U.S. Customs at progress_report@cbp.dhs.gov.

The email should include:
Filer´s corporate name
Filer code used for filing ISF
Point of Contact
Point of Contact´s telephone number

If you are a self filer, filing under another company's filer code, the ISF system administrators should have requested this on your behalf. There´s Still Time to Flip Your Tassel & Self FileI mporter Security Filing has been in effect for 4 months now. Many ISF self-filers have been filing ISF since day 1. There is still plenty of time to start filing before the penalty phase begins. Most systems can get you up and filing in less than 2 days. Whether you decide to direct file or not, you should weigh all your options. Just like choosing which college university to attend after graduation you want to pick the right option for you.

Pushing It - Advanced Placement Classes for ImportersNow that your filing your ISF you can save even more time and more money on your consumption entry. Using the same system to file both entries you can "push" the repetitive information from your ISF to your consumption entry. Systems like TRG Direct have added this ability to filter information for thier customers. Once you file your ISF in-house, why not file the shipment´s consumption entry as well?