1. General Information and Benefits of C-TPAT

2. Minimum Security Criteria and Guidelines

3. Information on High Security Seals

4. 7-Point Container Inspection Process

1. Outside/ Undercarriage (before entering facility)
2. Inside/ Outside doors
3. Right Side
4. Left Side
5. Front Wall
6. Ceiling/Roof
7. Floor (Inside)

Procedures must be in place to verify the physical integrity of the container structure prior to stuffing, to include the reliability of the locking mechanisms of the doors.

A 7-point Container Inspection Process is recommended for all containers.

5. 17-Point Tractor & Trailer Inspection Process

1. Bumper
2. Engine
3. Tires (truck & trailer)
4. Floor
5. Fuel Tanks
6. Cab/Storage Compartments
7. Air Tanks
8. Drive Shafts
9. Fifth Wheel
10. Outside/Undercarriage
11. Floor
12. Inside/Outside Doors
13. Side Walls
14. Ceiling/Roof
15. Front Wall
16. Refrigerated Unit
17. Exhaust

Procedures should be in place to verify the physical integrity of the trailer structure prior to stuffing, to include the reliability of the locking mechanisms of the doors.

Border crossing tractors & trailers should be inspected upon arrival at the domestic facility.

A 17-point Tractor & Trailer Inspection Process is recommended for all trucks and trailers arriving from foreign.

The Security Filing, commonly known as the “10+2” initiative, is a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) new regulation that requires importers and vessel operating carriers to provide additional advance trade data to Customs and Border Protection/Department of Homeland Security (CBP/DHS).

Leschaco, Inc. already has the IT solution to handle the EDI transmission as mandated by the U.S. Government agencies. For information regarding this service, please contact your local Leschaco representative. 

The rule requires importers to transmit 10 data elements to US Customs no later than 24 hours before cargo is loaded aboard a vessel destined for the USA. 

During the first year, CBP/DHS monitored all ISF submissions for timeliness, accuracy and completeness and worked with any non-complying ISF filer in order to help them adhere to the new requirements.

In order to provide the trade sufficient time to adjust to the new requirements and in consideration of the business process, changes that may be necessary to achieve full compliance, CBP/DHS will show restraint in enforcing the rule, taking into account difficulties that importers may face in complying with the rule, so long as:

1. importers are making satisfactory progress toward compliance and
2. are making a good faith effort to comply with the rule to the extent of their current ability.

Consequently ...
No liquidated damages assessed for not meeting the new requirements
No “do not load” (DNL) holds for compliance issues
Importer Requirements: Regular Cargo (Includes Free Trade Zone and In Transit shipment): requires the electronic filing of an Importer Security Filing (ISF) comprised of the following 10 data elements:

1. Importer of Record number
2. Consignee number
3. Seller (Owner) name/address
4. Buyer (Owner) name/address
5. Ship to Party name/address
6. Manufacturer (Supplier) name/address
7. Country of Origin
8. Commodity HTS-6
9. Container Stuffing location
10. Consolidator name/address 

Carrier Requirements:

1. Vessel Stowage Plans required for arriving vessels with containers
2. Container Status Messages required for containers arriving  via vessel

The party required to submit the Importer Security Filing (ISF) is the party causing the goods to enter the limits of a port in the United States. This party is known as the “ISF Importer”. 
The ISF Importer, as a business decision, may designate an authorized agent to file the Importer Security Filing on the ISF Importer’s behalf.

If an Agent is used for ISF purposes, a power of attorney (POA) is required. Furthermore, the Agent must have access to the approved systems such as vessel Automated Manifest System (AMS) or Automated Broker Interface (ABI). 
An importer may be a self-filer or they can choose to use an agent.
All ISF filings are to be done electronically via vessel Automated Manifest System (AMS) or the Automated Broker Interface (ABI). There will be no paper forms allowed.

The party who filed the Importer Security Filing must update the Importer Security Filing if, after the filing and before the goods arrive within the limits of a port in the United States, there are changes to the information filed or more accurate information becomes available. 

ISF filings will be secured by a bond. Generally, continuous bonds will be accepted for ISF filings. 
After the informed compliance period officially ends, the ISF Importer is bound to provide a complete, accurate and timely filing or risk liquidated damages in the amount of $5,000.

If filing is not done, Carrier (shipping lines) will receive the following massage: No “do not load” (DNL) holds for compliance issues. 

More information can be obtained by visiting: www.cbp.gov