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Seajet |
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Mid
January |
PLAIN LANGUAGE GUIDE "IMPORTER SECURITY FILING" 10 + 2
Dear Customer and Friends of Seajet! If you are confused about ISF 10+2 you are not alone. There is an awful lot of information going around and some of it is misleading and wrong. What you probably want to hear about the most is: "How do I file my ISF?" OK, then, here below you will find the answer. Even though there are still a number of issues that are not finalized by Customs (CBP), pertaining to new customs bond requirements, new power of attorney language etc., what we do know for a fact is, that the requirement to file IFS will commence with any vessel departures from origin ports on or after 26 January 2009. Seajet is handling ocean imports in 1 of 3 capacities and you will see where you fit in. 1) Seajet is your freight forwarder and customs broker. Meaning, that we arrange for the transportation from overseas in conjunction with Seajet partners and agents. Seajet clears your goods through customs and in most cases, arrange for the delivery to your door. 2) You or your supplier arranges for the transportation through a third party unrelated to Seajet and we act as your customs broker, only, once the goods have arrived. This can be the case, when your supplier pays for the transportation. 3) Seajet is your freight forwarder but your customs clearance work is performed by another customs broker with whom you may have a longstanding relationship. This goes back to before Seajet got involved with your import business. In all these scenarios it is and remains the importer’s responsibility to ensure that correct and timely ISF filings are being made. Seajet can assist in all three cases though the procedures vary from category to category.
IF YOU BELONG TO THE FIRST CATEGORY: Then, Seajet will receive all the required data elements through its overseas offices. However, in order to get all information filed in time we will need assistance from your suppliers. The supplier will have to provide to our overseas offices all required data elements as per the enclosed spreadsheet and no later than 96 hours prior to the vessel’s departure. If we receive the enclosed spreadsheet back from our origin offices with missing data we shall advise and ask you to obtain the missing information directly from your suppliers and to send it to us upon receipt so that we can complete the IFS filing. If your suppliers do not know the harmonized tariff number (HTS), they can provide our origin offices (or you) with a commercial invoice which our customs brokerage department can use to determine the applicable tariff. When Seajet files your ISF, we shall send you a copy of the ISF filing document. It will be your responsibility to review the ISF information and to inform us, immediately, when changes are required and an amended ISF filing needs to be done. Please confirm or decline that you would like Seajet to file IFS on your behalf.
IF YOU BELONG TO THE SECOND CATEGORY: Then, since Seajet does not arrange for the transportation of your freight, we will only find out that there is a shipment once either you or your supplier or his agent advises us. In theory you can instruct your supplier to have the enclosed spreadsheet and Commercial Invoice (in lieu of the HTS information) sent to us. However, we would caution you, that you may be at risk of late or incorrect filings if you trust your supplier to send this information to us. We must receive this information 96 hours prior to loading! You may prefer controlling this process and have the supplier send the spreadsheet (and commercial invoice if the HTS number is not known to your supplier) to you, to be sure they are sending complete and correct information, in time for the filing. Whether received from your suppliers, their agents or from you, upon receipt of this information we shall file the ISF in accordance with the information we have received. If any data fields are missing we shall notify you and ask that you obtain the information and send it to us. However, please send this information to us no later than 96 hours before your goods depart overseas. If the information comes to us directly from your suppliers or their agents, we will send the spreadsheet to you to have you confirm the data for the ISF filing. Please note, however, that we do not have any control over receiving information direct from your supplier or their agent! Please confirm or decline that you would like Seajet to file ISF on your behalf.
IF YOU BELONG TO THE THIRD CATEGORY: Then, Seajet will receive the spreadsheet information from our origin offices no later than 96 hours prior to sailing from origin. We will pass this on to you and advise you if any data fields are missing. At this point you have two choices. You can pass the information on to your broker for them to file ISF on your behalf. Or, you can have Seajet file ISF for you. However since we are not doing your customs entry work, we will not be familiar with classifying your merchandise and apply the correct HTS numbers, even if we get a copy of the Commercial Invoice. We would have to ask you to provide the correct HTS number(s) or would have to contact you to verify the correct classification so that it will match with what your broker will submit to CBP upon arrival at destination. Please confirm or decline that you would like Seajet to file ISF on your behalf.
FINALLY: This “Importer Security Filing” (ISF) subject has caused a tremendous amount of anxiety and confusion for importers, brokers, freight forwarders and carriers. Furthermore, software applications had to be written and tested and procedures had to be established. We are happy and proud to inform you, that Seajet is ready, today, to file your ISF. Some changes to the procedures may yet be made during the course of this year. In that case, we shall notify you, immediately. We are sure you understand that there is a cost for filing ISF. We have had to consider two items. The initial cost of acquiring the software and the time which will be spent to file timely ISF. The investment in the ISF software was a fixed cost but the amount of time that will be needed to file complete, correct and timely ISF, has yet to be determined. Much will depend on your suppliers and yourself in limiting this time to a minimum. Accordingly, we have set the cost of filing ISF at $45.00 per filing. Depending on what we will learn during the next couple of months about the process of filing ISF and the actual time needed to do so, we reserve the right to increase this amount. However, if it turns out that the time and effort to file ISF will be less than anticipated, due to the cooperation we receive from you and your supplier, we may be able to reduce the filing fee in the future. We hope this explanation of the ISF filing procedures will answer all of your questions. However, if you should have additional questions or concerns, or you do require additional information, then please feel free to contact us at any time, by addressing your email to Our PowerPoint slide show on ISF is still available for viewing on the Seajet web site. www.seajet.com\newseajet\10+2.htm You can request a PDF copy to be emailed to you.
Please click here to see and review the
Best
regards,
Ronald W. Hiemann,
... Are you ready for 10+2 ? ...
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Seajet Express Inc., 46 Arlington Street, Chelsea, MA 02150 - Telephone 617.884.0991 - www.seajet.com |
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