Please note the below link about a major change U.S. Customs is now implementing in regards to your
ISF filing for ocean import shipments:
CSMS# 16-000499 - Updated Importer Security Filing (ISF) Enforcement
06/17/2016 06:00 AM EDT
For shipments that are on the water on or after June 30, 2016, CBP ports will no longer be required to send requests for liquidated damages (LD) claims to Headquarters for review, and the “three-strikes” approach to LD claims against importers’ bonds will also end. There is no change to cargo holds for ISF non-compliance; ports may hold cargo instead of (or in addition to) initiating LD claims.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, you may send them to security_filing_general@cbp.dhs.gov.
To explain it further, CBP will now be able to issue penalties against importers at the port level, and they no longer need to pass the request up to their headquarters for permission. Also, there is no longer a "three-strikes" approach to penalties, so if you have your first late ISF filing, they can penalize you right away.
Customs must receive a "Bill On File" message for your import shipment no later than 24 hours prior to departing the last foreign port. Compliance is a two part submission now, timely filing of your ISF, and accurate Bill of Lading information. If you are compliant on timely filing, but the BOL information is not accurate, your ISF filing will not be considered compliant and a penalty can/will be issued.
Please advise your shippers of this change, as it is now in effect on all ocean import shipments that are on the water starting June 30th. It is imperative that not only we receive your ISF filing requests timely, but they must have accurate Bill of Lading information at the time of filing as well.
If you have any further questions about this, please feel free to ask.
Thank you,
Casey Hughes
Import Manager
Licensed Customs Broker
Robert E. Landweer & Co., Inc.
P.O. Box 68369, Seatac, WA 98188
Tel# 206-623-5335 Ext. 8
Fax# 206-343-9253
Major Change for Importer Security Filings
