Automated Manifest System (AMS) is an electronic information transmission system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Air and ocean shipments into the U.S. require an AMS filing with detailed information about the cargo, as a security measure. AMS file must be submitted to CBP 24 hours before the ship leaves the port of shipment, physically we try to gain AMS HBL MBL matched 72 hours before vessel ETD. Inaccuracy can lead to severe penalty up to USD5,000 per violation by CBP. We used Nasdaq-listed system Descartes to file our AMS, ISF 5, ISF 10, ACI, EMF.

Automated Export System (AES) is the automated system for filing U.S. Shipper’s Export Declarations. AES authorizes the electronic filing of export and manifest information directly to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Automated Export System (AES) AES is the system U.S. exporters use to electronically declare their international exports, known as Electronic Export Information (EEI), to the Census Bureau to help compile U.S. export and trade statistics. It is also used by other government agencies for trade enforcement purposes.There are three parties that can submit an EEI filing. These three parties include the U.S. Principal Party in Interest (USPPI), their authorized agent, or an authorized agent for a Foreign Principal Party in Interest (FPPI). In general, a USPPI is usually the U.S. exporter. A FPPI is frequently overseas purchaser.Most frequently, a freight forwarder is the authorized agent that can file an EEI through AES on behalf of the exporter. A Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) is used to authorize a forwarder to file EEI. The letter also defines what the expectations are of a freight forwarder.The timing of an EEI filing is based on the mode of transport. There are exceptions to the below timeframes for items on the U.S. Munitions List (USML) or other restricted lists.

CARM is the Canada Border and Services Agency digital initiative. CARM stands for CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management. CARM is changing the way in which the Canada Border and Services Agency (CBSA) assesses as well as the collection of duties and taxes on commercial goods imported into Canada. It is important to fully understand the implications of the new digital initiative to avoid any delays or disruption. The CBSA Assessment and Revenue Management (CARM) program's external launch date is October 21, 2024. This is when CARM will become the official system for collecting duties and taxes on imported goods into Canada. Importers should register their business on the CARM Client Portal before October 2024. If a customs broker is used, they should be delegated authority in the portal. CBSA Official Notice:https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/carm-gcra/schedule-calendrier-eng.html

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) was established on March 1, 2003 in the Directorate for Border and Transportation Security, Department of Homeland Security.United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It is the country's primary border control organization, charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, as well as enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration.Role of CBP in US Trade & CustomsThe CBP facilitates lawful trade by ensuring a detailed inspection of the cargo entering the US and collecting import duties wherever applicable. For this purpose, the CBP officers are placed at 328 ports of entry across the country.The CBP officers who work in a fast-paced environment are assigned various duties, some of which are listed below:-To stringently enforce customs, immigration, and agricultural laws and regulations at the different US ports of entry.To prevent the illegal trafficking of humans, narcotics, contrabands, banned substances, etc. into the US.To inspect goods, carry out intelligence analysis, examinations, and key law enforcement activities such as apprehension, detention, and arrests related to the arrival and departure of people, conveyances, and merchandise at the ports of entry.To conduct all the duties assigned to protect the US homeland, enforce federal laws, and assist legitimate trade and travel in a smooth, efficient manner.To develop, plan, and participate in strategic operations to prevent illegal activities.To communicate with carriers, other agencies, and foreign entities to acquire information and provide regulation on admissibility/compliance.To detect and prevent terrorists and weapons from entering the US.

House Bill of Lading (HBL)House bill of lading (HBL) is a document issued by a freight forwarder or a non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) to a shipper to acknowledge receipt of their items for shipment. In other words, it's a receipt for the goods. The shipper is the exporting company, and the freight forwarder or NVOCC (which can also be referred to as a forwarding agent) is the company to arrange transportation of their goods to a foreign destination. The freight forwarder or NVOCC then books cargo space with physical carriers. Carriers are the transportation providers—the trucking companies, shipping lines and airlines that physically move the shipment. Master Bill of Lading (MBL)Master bill of lading (MBL) is a document issued by a physical carrier, and it represents the contract of carriage for the goods. Once the carrier has confirmed that it has received the goods, it will issue the MBL to the party that booked the freight, usually the freight forwarder or the shipper. In SummaryHouse bill of lading is always a receipt for a shipment from one exporter, while a master bill of lading is a receipt that could potentially cover the shipments of many exporters, as they are consolidated by the carrier into a larger shipment. HBL is issued by the freight forwarder or NVOCC to a single exporter; whereas the MBL is issued by a carrier to a forwarding agent or the shipper, depending on who booked the transport. MBL represents the transfer of cargo from the forwarder to the carrier, and this cargo could be coming from several different exporters. Client must need to know not EACH forwarder can issue legal HBL, only licensed forwarder can issue House Bill of Lading (HBL), when shipment to USA and Canada, forwarder needs to be licensed by Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA); when shipment to China, forwarder needs to be licensed by China Transportation Department.

Main INCO terms international tradingThe Incoterms are divided into four principal categories: E, F, C and D. Category E(Departure), which contains onlyone trade term, i.e. EXW (Ex Works). Category F(Main Carriage Unpaid), which contains three trade terms: FCA (Free Carrier) FAS (Free Alongside Ship) FOB (Free on Board) Category C(Main Carriage Paid), whichcontains four trade terms: CPT (Carriage paid to) CIP (Carriage and Insurance paid to) CFR (Cost and Freight) CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) Category D(Arrival), which contains threetrade terms: DAP (Delivered at Place) DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)