Partial data from forwarders can speed US Customs cargo screening

THE National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBF) and Airforwarders Association (AfA) have suggested that forwarder submissions as part the US Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) programme would enable Customs and Border Protection (CBP) receive the required data faster. Under the ACAS programme, the inbound carrier or other eligible party must electronically transmit ACAS data to CBP before the cargo is loaded onto an aircraft heading to the US.

'The carrier has the ultimate responsibility to file data within ACAS; however, there may be forwarders who are willing to meet prescribed terms and conditions in order to file instead of the carrier,' American Shipper cited NCBF and AfA as stating.

'We do not support duplicate filings since minor or inadvertent differences may create anomalies in the targeting process. Having said that, there may be value in early transmittal of partial data.'

The groups also cautioned CBP and TSA from requiring the bonding of forwarders who transmit ACAS filings, saying that would deter forwarder from participating in ACAS. The interim final rule (IFR) implementing ACAS on June 12 established such a requirement.

In addition, forwarders could encounter circumstances in which they can't address 'do not load' (DNL) instructions, and NCBF and AfA associated themselves with separate comments submitted by Airlines for America/the International Air Transport Association urging CBP and TSA to 'carefully' analyse scenarios in which an ACAS filer isn't in possession of a DNL shipment and to issue DNL instruction documentation placing appropriate responsibilities on each stakeholder.

The International Trade Surety Association (ITSA) and Avalon Risk Management, a customs surety and ITSA member, said CBP should have consulted with sureties prior to introducing new bonding requirements related to ACAS.