THE European Union (EU) will soon 24-hour advanced cargo information for ships going to Europe, similar to the Automated Manifest System (AMS) of the United States and the Advanced Cargo Information (ACI) of Canada. In his presentation during last week’s general membership meeting of the Philippine International Seafreight Forwarders Association (PISFA), Textainer Services director of Sales for Asia Jackson Chen said the EU is intent on including the requirement in the European Customs
Code amendments.
"We have already been advised that a final reading of the regulation before the European parliament will take place early in March. The regulation should enter into force shortly thereafter provided the parliament accepts the text of the regulation," he said. Textainer Services Division (TSD) is a full-service filing AMS/ACI service provider, whose systems may be "rented" for direct filing of manifests.
TSD operates under Trade Logic – a consortium between Portrade and Trade Tech/Textainer. In the Philippines, the company is represented by IT expert Leo Morada. Chen warned international freight forwarders, consolidators and the non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) to expect 24-hour filing for Asia shipments to EU destinations by the third quarter of this year in addition to the adoption of other regulations, including the Indian Air Imports and the Australian Regulations. World Customs Organization is also inclined to impose stricter trade policies.
TSD urged freight forwarders, particularly NVOCCs, to avail of its services as it offers 60% cheaper rates than those charged by shipping lines. Filing the AMS/ACI through a shipping line costs $25 per house bill of lading (HBL), while per amendment costs $40. TSD, on the other hand, offers $10 per HBL for basic filing and only $5 if the user will file an EDI/XML. Cost per amendment is only $8. Chen said TSD also offers bond usage to forwarders which do not have their own. TSD bond usage is $2 per HBL. Shippers are required to have the US Custom’s Type-3 International Carrier’s Bond to participate directly in the sea AMS.
