ISF Outreach Program l TRG Direct President Participates

TRG Direct President Mike Laden has been taking part in the US Customs' ISF Trade Outreach programs. As an expert in international trade security and supply chain management, Mike has been asked to be involved as a presenter. The following dates are still available for those involved in importer security filing to attend:

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 )

ISF User Group Meeting 9-9-09

TRG Direct just wrapped up another ISF user group meeting. With an outstanding attendence, our customers came prepared with great questions.

Download the audio from TRG Direct's user group meeting. As a teaser... here are a few questions that were asked today. Get the answers online!

• "When I get a an acceptance for my Importer Security Filing and also the Bill of lading is on file, then the shipping line informs me that they left out the containers out of the vessel so the ETA and ETD will be different while the Bill of lading number will be the same, do I have to re-submit my ISF form because of the information that has been changed?"
• "Can you please confirm that the carrier used in ISF is the vessel owner and not the owner of MBL."
• "When creating an ISF and using an ISF template, can the template be updated from the ISF screen?"

Importer Security Filing

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Importer Security Filing

View more presentations from Jena Leary.

ISF Trade Outreach Program Says FILE FILE FILE

Mike Laden, President TRG Direct attended an East Coast CBP trade outreach program last week and reports that Customs says you must be filing. There are still so many skeptics out there saying that January 2010 will not be the deadline for ISF. However, Rich Dinucci has reported that over 2million ISFs have been filed and the trade is making progress.

One startling thing that has come up in a few conversations with importers is that the Customs Reauthorization Bill has language that hints that the ISF may be used for compartive purposes, such as the data being available to other Government Agencies for pre-screening purposes. At this point this is speculation so don't quote us on that. Just be aware.

Stayed tuned to keep updated on importer security filing or contact us with your ISF questions.

Easy Application Process for Direct Filing ISF

TRG Direct will make the transition into self-filing ISF as easy as possible. As a direct filing importer you will simply need to provide us with a Power of Attorney (POA) and payment information. The POA is needed because you will actually borrow our filer code. Since ISF is not considered "Custom's Business" this is exceptable. Next, you can pay via credit card or ACH and you are ready to file.

The sign up process can be done online and we can get you set up in our system in less than 1 day.

Our ISF customer service line is available to our clients at no extra charge along with our monthly user group meetings. ***Another new addition to our customer service is our ISF customer service blog, Jamie Dinan our TRG Direct sales administrator updates this blog with new trends following importer security filing. Access this blog here (whether or not you are a TRG Direct filing customer).

World Customs Organization Conference 2009

TRADE FACILITATIONIN A TIME OF ECONOMIC CRISIS

Preserving the Engine of Global Economic Growth

A two-day conference focusing on the future of facilitation for low-risk operators and the use of multilateral standards within the international supply chain.

This conference and exhibition will provide an ideal business opportunity to learn about the latest trade-related regulatory initiatives of the world’s major trading nations, whether under the banner of the WCO SAFE Framework, E-Customs, export control regimes, or Integrated Border Management.

Senior government officials, leaders of trade-focused advocacy groups from many countries, and corporate executives from six continents will exchange views on global trade initiatives, identify opportunities for innovation and positive change, and meet a global mix of potential partners and associates with a shared interest in trade facilitation, and improving effective cross-border regulation and supply chain management.

Learn from globally recognized experts, Share your views and experiences with key decision makers: let your opinion be heard!

We Look Forward to Seeing You in Seattle!For further details visit the conference

website:www.trusted-trade.net/en/world-customs-forum

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.