U.S.

Customs 24-Hour Advance Vessel

Manifest Rule
Carriers and NVOCCs to submit a cargo declaration to CBP 24 hours before cargo is loaded
onto vessels calling the United States.

The purpose of the rule is to enable CBP to analyse container content information before a
container is loaded and thereby in advance decide on its loading/no loading status.

The rule is administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In case of non-
compliance with the rule, the most serious consequence would be the halting of loading or
unloading and a consequent disruption of cargo flows and supply chains. Furthermore, CBP
imposes fines or other penalties on the carriers and other parties responsible for the
submission of cargo declarations.

The scope of the rule

The 24-Hour Advance Vessel Manifest Rule applies to:

All vessels due to call at a U.S. port.
All cargo destined for the U.S. or carried via U.S. ports to a non-U.S. destination.

The rule applies whether the load port is a Container Security Initiative (CSI) port or not.

The rule does not apply to:

Feeder or transhipment vessels that are not calling at the U.S. However, the 24-Hour Advance
Manifest Rule does apply when the cargo is transhipped onto a vessel that calls at the U.S.
Bulk shipments as defined in the regulations.

Read more about how the rule applies here:

How to comply
Information required by U.S. Customs
Special requirements to NVOCCs

More about the rule

World Shipping Council

Harmonized Tariff Schedule

How Maersk Line comply

Containers being loaded

With Maersk Lines dedicated electronic systems and as an Automated Manifest System
(AMS) participant, we submit the required cargo declarations to CBP in a correct, quick and
secure fashion.

In order to create the cargo declarations, we need to receive information from our customers
in advance of the local reporting deadline. Dedicated Maersk Line staff across the world has
been trained to handle customer enquiries about the 24-Hour Advance Manifest Rule.

The shipper's responsibilities

Maersk Line is ready to advise you on the 24-Hour Advance Vessel Manifest Rule and its
implications in order to assure the timely arrival of your cargo. At the same time, we strongly
recommend that you become acquainted with the rule, explore these web pages and follow
the overall guidelines listed below when shipping cargo to the United States.

Ensure the correct and timely submission of the required information. See:
What information is required?

Be as specific as possible with cargo descriptions on all documentation.

Ensure that correct seal numbers are reported: The last attached container seal number(s)
prior to loading the container.

Use maerskline.com shipping instruction and transport document services to save time,
expedite the process and improve documentation accuracy. Note that some Maersk Line
offices operate with differentiated documentation cut-offs that are more favorable towards
electronically submitted documentation. Register now to use these services.

Information required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

To fulfill our responsibilities when submitting cargo declarations to CBP we require the
following from our customers (shippers/agents):

A precise description of the cargo or the 6-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) number
under which the cargo is classified and the weight of the cargo

Harmonized Tariff Schedule

OR:

For a sealed container, the shipper's declared description and weight of the cargo
Generic descriptions such as "FAK" (freight of all kinds), "STC" (said to contain), "general
cargo", "toys", "chemicals" and similar are not acceptable.

For acceptable and non-acceptable cargo descriptions see

 U.S. Customs: Frequently Asked Questions on the 24-Hour Rule

The quantity of cargo expressed in the lowest external packaging unit. Containers and pallets
are not acceptable units, for example a container containing 10 pallets with each 200 cartons
should be described as 2000 cartons.

The shipper's complete name and address or future ACE identification number (unique
number assigned by CBP upon the implementation of the Automated Commercial
Environment) from all bills of lading,
Complete name and address of the consignee in the U.S., consignees U.S. address, owner or
owner's representative or future ACE identification number, from all bills of lading.

Container numbers and seal numbers for all seals affixed to containers.

Internationally recognized hazardous material code where applicable.

Special requirements to NVOCC's

The 24-Hour Advance Vessel Manifest Rule provides NVOCC's to submit electronic cargo
declarations to the U.S. Customs by the NVOCC filing through own system (automated
NVOCC), the carrier's system or an automated third party filing service. In addition to
compliance with the 24-Hour Rule, NVOCCs shipping with Maersk Line must note the
following:

1. It is important for all NVOCC's to inform Maersk Line at the time of booking and
included in their shipping instructions that:

- Cargo declaration information will be transmitted by the NVOCC directly to U.S.

Customs via AMS (Automated Manifest System) OR
- Maersk Line is to transmit the cargo declaration information on behalf of the NVOCC
as indicated in the shipping instructions and pursuant to MAEU-151, Rule 2-079.

1 The correct carrier's SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code for Maersk Line it is
MAEU) is essential to the communication process with U.S. Customs. This code
allows U.S. Customs to transmit load and no-load information to the proper parties.
Maersk Line's SCAC code is MAEU. It is imperative that NVOCC's include this
SCAC code as the "second notify" party on cargo declarations submitted to U.S.
Customs for cargo booked with Maersk Line as the contracted carrier.
 1 Non-automated NVOCC's must submit their house B/L and shipping instructions to
Maersk Line simultaneously with submission of cargo declarations to U.S.
Customs.Failure to meet the 24-Hour Rule requirements will have significant adverse
consequences for NVOCC's. In addition to actions by U.S. Customs, such as
imposition of fines, the Maersk Line tariff (MAEU-151, Rule 2-079) provides that
shippers and NVOCC's will be liable for all costs, damages, or other losses incurred
by Maersk Line as a result of non-compliance.

Find MAEU-151, Rule 2-079 in our rate and rule search site.

10+2 Importer Security Filing (ISF)

U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP) 10+2 interim final rule became effective on 26
January 2009. The regulation requires importers and ocean carriers to electronically submit
additional data to CBP for containers onboard vessels destined to the U.S.

U.S. importers are responsible for the 10 additional sets of data elements which are:
Manufacturer, Seller, Consolidator, Buyer and Ship to names and addresses, Container
stuffing location, Importer and Consignee record numbers, Country of origin of goods and
the Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule number. The Carrier will submit 2 additional
data sets which are: Vessel Stowage Plan (or BAPLIE), and Container Status Messages.

CBP has established flexible enforcement for this ruling. This means that CBP will show
restraint in enforcing the rule for a minimum of one year from the effective date. However,
CBP expects importers to make satisfactory progress towards compliance and make a good
faith effort to comply with this rule. Additionally, CBP has given importers flexibility on six
of the filing requirements. The interim final rule allows for solicitation of comments on
certain aspects of the ruling.

Finally, carriers will need to provide five additional data elements for shipments consisting
entirely of foreign cargo remaining on board (FROB), intended to be transported in-bond as
an immediate exportation (IE), or for transportation and exportation (T&E). The 5 additional
data elements are: (1) Booking party, (2) Foreign port of unloading, (3) Place of delivery, (4)
Ship to Party and (5) Commodity HTSUS number. Maersk Line will file this information to
CBP and it will be necessary for shippers or importers to provide the Commodity HTSUS
number.