Add'l 30 Days to Comment on ISF & Other Cargo Info Collections

February 7, 2012 by Elizabeth Parker|Top News

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is allowing an additional 30 days, until March 8, 2012, to comment on eight existing carrier cargo information collections, including the Importer Security Filing. CBP is proposing to extend the expiration date of these information collections with no changes to the information collected on the forms or regulations. However, CBP has revised its estimates of the burden hours and response times based on analysis of recent data.

Comments Sought on 8 Info Collections, Including ISF, Air Cargo Manifest, Etc.

The eight cargo information collections are:

Importer Security Filing (ISF) -- for most cargo arriving in the U.S. by vessel, the importer, or its authorized agent, must submit the data elements listed in 19 CFR 149.3 (available here) via a CBP-approved electronic interchange system within prescribed time frames. Transmission of these data elements provide CBP with advanced information about the shipment.

(See ITT's Online Archives 12020103 for summary of a new "Late ISF Importer Report" that is now available in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE).)

Manifest Confidentiality -- an importer or consignee may request confidential treatment of its name and address contained in manifests by following the procedure set forth in 19 CFR 103.31 (available here).

Inward Cargo Declaration (CBP Form 1302) - form filed by the master or commander of a vessel arriving in the U.S. from abroad with cargo on board or submitted using a CBP-approved electronic equivalent. This form is accessible here.

Cargo Declaration Outward with Commercial Forms (CBP Form 1302A) -- filed by the master or commander of a vessel departing from the U.S. with copies of bills of lading or equivalent commercial documents relating to all cargo encompassed by the manifest. This form is accessible here.

Air Cargo Manifest (CBP Form 7509) -- two copies of this form are filed by the aircraft commander or agent at the departure airport, or may be submitted using a CBP-approved electronic equivalent. This form is accessible here.

Inward Cargo Manifest for Vessel under Five Tons, Ferry, Train, Car, Vehicle, Etc. (CBP Form 7533) -- filed by the master of person in charge of a conveyance. This form is required for a vehicle or vessel of less than 5 net tons arriving in the U.S. from Canada or Mexico, otherwise than by sea, with baggage or merchandise. Respondents may also submit the information using a CBP-approved electronic equivalent. This form is accessible here.

Vessel Stow Plan -- for all vessels transporting goods to the U.S., except for any vessel exclusively carrying bulk cargo, the incoming carrier is required to electronically submit a vessel stow plan no later than 48 hours after the vessel departs from the last foreign port. Note that the vessel stow plan is one of two 10+2 data elements that are submitted by carriers.

Container Status Messages -- for all containers destined to arrive within the limits of a U.S. port from a foreign port by vessel, the incoming carrier must submit messages regarding the status of events if the carrier creates or collects a container status message (CSM) in its equipment tracking system reporting that event. CSMs must be transmitted to CBP via a CBP-approved electronic data interchange system. Note that CSMs are the second of two 10+2 data elements that are submitted by carriers.

CBP Revised Estimated Burden Hours & Response Times

CBP has revised its estimates of the burden hours and response times based on analysis of recent data as follows (see notice for complete burden hours and response times):

Importer Security Filing -- the number of total annual responses was lowered from 11,300,000 to 8,100,000
Manifest Confidentiality -- the number of responses was raised from 1,078 to 5,040 and the time per response was lowered from 30 to 15 minutes
CBP Form 7509 -- the time per response was lowered from 34 to 15 minutes
CBP Form 1302 -- the time per response was raised from 10 to 30 minutes
Vessel Stow Plan -- the number of respondents was lowered from 440 to 163
Container Status Messages -- the number of respondents was lowered from 74 to 60, and the number of total responses was raised from 72,121,193 to 257,100,000.

Comments Requested on Ways to Minimize Burden, Etc.

CBP is asking for comments from the general public and other Federal agencies on (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agencies/components estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information.

(See ITT's Online Archives 11113010 for initial summary of six of these information collections. See ITT's Online Archives 11112341 and 11112903 for summaries of the remaining two information collections on ISF and Vessel Manifest Confidentiality, respectively.)

CBP Contact -- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265