Los Angeles-Long Beach ports appeal for customs pre-filing
Executive directors of the United States' two largest ports, neighboring Los Angeles and Long Beach, jointly released a statement asking importers to pre-file Customs clearances to help terminals in the massive seaport achieve better efficiency.
'Pre-filing your Customs entry documentation before the vessel arrival can help expedite your cargo through the supply chain process while possibly reducing costs and delays,' Port of Long Beach chief Richard Steinke and Port of Los Angeles head Geraldine Knatz said in their statement. 'When a ship arrives at port, containers are moved directly to rail. When Customs filing is not received in a timely manner, that container has to be stored at the terminal. The container will be loaded on a train, probably with the next ship that arrives, because the terminal will not have enough containers to create a unit train for a particular destination.
'We ask for your cooperation to work with your customs broker, delivering carrier, and logistic destination to complete pre-entry and arrange for delivery as far ahead as legally possible. This will help to increase the efficiency at our terminals and provide Customs and Border Protection the necessary data to process your shipment in an efficient and timely manor.'