If you have any question on port fillings, you will find the answer right here.
So keep reading to learn more.
- What Is A Port Filing In Shipping?
- Why Are Port Filings Needed?
- Who Is Obliged To File Container Port Notification?
- How Are Port Filings Done?
- Is It Possible To File Container Arrival Information Through Shipping Agents In Origin Country?
- Is It Only Maritime Cargo Carried By A Container Vessel Required To Be Filed?
- What Data Elements Are Required On A Port Filing?
- Are Port Filings The Same As AMS (Automated Manifest System) And ISF (Importer Security Information) Filings?
- What Is The Deadline For Port Filings?
- What Are The Consequences Of Late Port Filings?
- What Happens If A Port Filing Cannot Be Completed Because Of A System Outage?
- Is It Possible To Amend Or Cancel A Port Filing?
- What Is The Port Filing Fee?
What Is A Port Filing In Shipping?
A port filling refers to a message sent to the port to notify the presence of a container on board a particular vessel and the destination location of the vessel.
This notification also includes the export declaration documents as this step comes as soon as export clearance is done.
Why Are Port Filings Needed?
Port filing is important since it assists in detecting high-risk shipments and prevents any dubious activities such as the smuggling of goods.
During importation or exportation, some goods can be restricted or banned either due to health, safety, and environmental reasons.
Port filing helps identify and control such goods and ensure that they have proper certifications before entering the country.
Who Is Obliged To File Container Port Notification?
The party obliged to file container port Notification is the shipping company who is the contractor of carriage.
The shipping company is obligated to file container port notifications since they know every detail about the cargo as per the ocean B/L level from a loading port.
And that’s not enough. Given that the Non-Vessel Owning Common carrier (NVOCC) knows the cargo information as per the House B/L level during departure, they are also obligated to file cargo information.
Nevertheless, you need to be aware that at the beginning, consignors who are contractors of freight forwarding businesses can also file cargo information. Such freight forwarding businesses work with shipping companies.
Importers can also file Container Port Notification.
How Are Port Filings Done?
After cargo has passed through export clearance, port filing commences.
Port filing can either be done by a shipping company, NVOCC, or by yourself if you wish to.
Take into account that the port filing information and commercial invoice are uploaded during the submission of a clearance request.
What’s more, all port filings are electronic and submitted to the Automated Manifest System. The importer needs to provide around 10 pieces of information.
Such information include;
- Buyer, seller’s and stuffer’s contact information
- Name, address of the destination
- Country of origin
- Number of consignees
- Record number of the importer among others.
- Numbers of commodity Harmonized tariff Schedule
This information needs to be submitted no later than 24 hours before the arrival of the ship in the United States. Failure to observe this attracts fines and penalties.
Is It Possible To File Container Arrival Information Through Shipping Agents In Origin Country?
Yes, you can file container arrival information with help from a shipping agent in the origin country.
Is It Only Maritime Cargo Carried By A Container Vessel Required To Be Filed?
No. Every container cargo entering a foreign destination port needs to be filed including maritime container cargo carried by any vessel.
What Data Elements Are Required On A Port Filing?
Below are some of the data elements you will require on a port filing;
- Name and address of the manufacturer, buyer, seller, and consolidator
- Consignee number
- Country of origin
- Location of container stuffing
- Harmonized Tariff schedule number
- Importer of record number
Are Port Filings The Same As AMS (Automated Manifest System) And ISF (Importer Security Information) Filings?
While port filings notify the presence of a container on board a particular vessel and the destination location of the vessel, AMS is a document describing the inbound cargo and it is normally submitted to the US customs.
On the other hand, ISF requires importers to submit information to CBP about their shipment before departure from the port.
What Is The Deadline For Port Filings?
The deadline for port filings is 24hours before departure from the loading port. By so doing, the date and time of departure can be confirmed early enough by customs or the fillers.
What Are The Consequences Of Late Port Filings?
Late port filings not only attract fines and penalties but also delays clearance.
What Happens If A Port Filing Cannot Be Completed Because Of A System Outage?
The fillers should reach out to customs and if the identified issue is caused by electronic or communication problems, fillers will be required to file cargo details in writing.
The filing of the cargo information should be done by the deadline set by the country’s customs.
Filing exemptions will only be valid if the issue occurred as a result of a natural calamity.
Is It Possible To Amend Or Cancel A Port Filing?
Quite frankly, yes. The party responsible for making the original filing can amend or cancel a port filing before the shipment accesses the limits of the destination port.
What Is The Port Filing Fee?
The port Filing Fee varies from one country to the other and it’s a flat fee per bill of lading will which is charged on the filed cargo. This flat fee is normally included in the Bill of lading as port filing.
If you have any question on various freight terms, Tj chinafreight is here to help – contact us now.
