In 2008, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a new rule known as the Importer Security Filing (ISF), better known as the 10+2 Initiative. The Initiative asks importers to provide 10 extra pieces of information about the products being imported to Customs, with the carrier providing the other two. However, there was not much detail for how importers and carriers were to communicate this additional information and nothing written about enforcement.
In 2010, additional details were made available, along with descriptions of fines to be assigned for non-compliance. This created an environment for suppliers to find new ways to manage.
Some manufacturers used a customs broker and let them deal with how the data was made available to the Customs offices. The broker charges a fee, but they become the point of contact if there were any questions on the origin of data. Specified fields can be used in EDI documents, typically an ASN or transportation invoice, to tell the broker the 10 pieces an importer is responsible for providing, and the broker works with the carriers to get the final two pieces.
The following 10 data elements are required from the importer:
- Manufacturer (or supplier) name and address
- Seller (or owner) name and address
- Buyer (or owner) name and address
- Ship-to name and address
- Container stuffing location
- Consolidator (stuffer) name and address
- Importer of record number/foreign trade zone applicant identification number
- Consignee number(s)
- Country of origin
- Commodity Harmonized Tariff Schedule number
From the carrier, two data elements are required:
- Vessel stow plan
- Container status messages
For more information about the Initiative specifics, please see the CBP’s Security Filing 10+2.
DCS can help you automate your document exchange with your customs broker. Contact us today to learn more about our role in boosting your production.
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