to whom it may concern


As you may know on December 5, 2003, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 
(CBP) published the final Trade Act regulations in the Federal Register. 

The rules require advance transmission of electronic cargo information 
to CBP. Previously exempt cargoes will now be required to submit their 
cargo manifests electronically, not prior to loading at the foreign port 

which is the case for non-exempt cargo, but 96 hours before arrival at 
the US port.

Under these new regulations, as of March 5, 2004, all cargo manifest 
information will need to be submitted electronically into Customs and 
Border Protection s Automated Manifest System, using the vessel s 
carrier bond and SCAC code.

There were lots of questions in regards to the definition of the term 
"carrier" and the role of the vessel's agent to the above process.

The way it has been explained to us, under the new regulations

- All vessels calling in the US for disch, must have their own valid 
International Carrier Bond and a SCAC code. The above must be provided 
by the vsl's owner and not by the vsl's charterer 

- The vessel's agent will not be able to provide a SCAC code anymore for 
cargo to be manifested

- The vessel's agent will be able to use the SCAC code and Bond info 
that the vessel owner will provide to make entries on behalf of the 
owner in the CBP AMS

More info on this matter, can be obtained as well from the web site of CBP

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/communications_to_industry/advance_info/

The above site contains also a list of companies that already have 
developed the required software and are already connected with AMS along 

with the applicable fees they charge

Suggest that for entities that are involved with importation of bulk 
cargoes in the USA, they request fm the vessel's owner to prove 
compliance as it is our understanding that no extensions or exceptions 
will be granted by CBP

Brgds