Issue 446, August 10, 2004
If you import goods into the USA or have cargo on flights transiting here you should be aware that on August 13, 2004 the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin requiring advanced electronic presentation of cargo information for all cargo being imported into the USA and transiting through the USA. This will require that DHL Danzas Air & Ocean to provide House Air Waybill data electronically via the Automated Manifest System (AMS) in advance of arrival of freight at first US port of entry.

The implementation will be a phased approach and will start August 13, 2004 for all shipments landing at all East Coast US states including West Virginia and Puerto Rico. On October 13, 2004 the Central US states will be added up to the mid western states of South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The final implementation stage will begin December 13, 2004, when all West Coast US states including North Dakota, Colorado, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii will be affected.

DHL Danzas Air & Ocean is actively participating in IATA, FFI and other governing bodies to ensure a standard process is in place and that airlines are ready to handle the information. It was decided to provide all House Air Waybill data electronically via an IATA FHL2 message to the airlines, who will in turn submit the information to the US Customs via AMS.

DHL Danzas Air & Ocean has finalized extensive software development to meet the CBP requirements. Our systems are ready and we are in detailed discussions with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the carriers to ensure process and procedures are in place to avoid delays.

Data Quality is critical to the success of our transmission to CBP. We also need your, our customer's, help to meet the CBP requirements. The crucial data elements we need to transmit are listed below.

The complete and correct address of the shipper is required with the following mandatory elements:

	Shipper's Address Name of the shipper Address of Shipper City Country If available, also include Zip Code State or Province
	Consignee Address If the consignee address is based in the USA, then the following elements are required to complete our documents and transmission to CBP. Name of the consignee Address of Consignee City State Code (two letter code, e.g. FL for Florida, CA for California) Zip Code. In case the shipment is only transiting the USA and the consignee is based in another country, the same data elements as in the shipper's address are required.
	Commodity Description CBP has asked for a precise and accurate Commodity Description. They will no longer accept "machinery", "electronics" or "women's apparel', but ask for "metal working machinery', 'consumer electronics' or 'clothing, shoes' instead, just to give a few examples. Please ensure such precise and accurate commodity description on your shipping instructions.
	Quantity CBP calls this the Shipper Load and Count (SLAC). They are interested in knowing the number of pieces based on the smallest external packing unit. For example: 2 Pallets containing 50 pieces each would be considered as 100 pieces (SLAC) loaded on 2 pallets. Forwarders will not be able to know the number of the SLAC. Therefore we need our customers to provide this information on the shipping instructions.

Please be aware that these new US regulations will result in a tremendous additional workload for carriers and forwarders. We therefore have to inform you that an AMS fee of USD 15.00 will be charged for every shipment to the USA or transiting there. The introduction date for the fee will run along the lines of the implementation of the new US legislation. This means that as of 13th August 2004, the fee will only be levied in ports where the new requirements have been introduced.

We thank you for your understanding and should you have further questions regarding AMS, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest DHL Danzas Air & Ocean office. Should you have further questions regarding AMS, please do not hesitate to contact your nearest DHL Danzas air & Ocean office. Please click on Air AMS Implementation – Are you ready? for additional information.

Best regards,

Brian Lindholm
Executive Vice President and COO
North America

Please note that due to the complex nature of the subject matter, DHL Danzas Air & Ocean cannot be responsible for actions taken by the reader in reliance on the information contained herein without prior consultation with DHL Danzas Air & Ocean.