Maersk Sealand warns over phase two of 24-hour rule
As the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection more strictly enforces the 24-hour advance manifest rule, Maersk Sealand has asked its customers to submit timely and accurate documentation to ensure compliance and avoid cargo delays.
In a notice to its customers, Maersk Sealand stressed that U.S. Customs is moving to “phase two” of its enforcement of the 24-hour rule.
From May 15, port Customs staff are instructed to issue “do not load” orders when the consignee in cargo declarations is not specified, or is designated as “to order,” Maersk said in its notice. Customs are also due to impose fines when foreign cargo remaining on board has an invalid cargo description. Foreign cargo remaining on board is cargo to Canada, for example, that stays on board a ship calling first at U.S. ports.
U.S. Customs provides information on the application of its 24-hour rule on its Web site at http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/import/carriers/24hour_rule/.