In response to request from some of our readers on basic reference information related to e2m Customs ABMS and IATA e-AWB, I am featuring today the following:
e2m Customs Automated Bonds Management System (ABMS)
Customs Memorandum Order 14-2012 dated 31 October 2012 with subject: Procedures for the Implementation of E2M Customs System for the Automated Bonds Management System in all Customs Ports Nationwide, was approved 07 November 2012.
Its objectives are:
– To implement the Electronic to Mobile (E2M) Customs System – Phase 4: Automated Bonds lManagement System in all Customs Ports.
– To provide detailed instructions to declarants, brokers, importers, warehouse operators, accredited Value-Added Service Providers (VASPs), surety companies and personnel of the Bureau on the customs processes to be observed under the Automated Bonds Managernent System of E2M Customs System Phase 4.
– To effectively monitor the status of bonds from their posting up to their cancellation and expedite the settlement or collection of due and demandable bonds.
– To effect a smooth transition from the current manual procedures to the automated procedures under the E2M Customs System.
The order shall cover all Bonds Accounts opened under the E2M Customs System in all Collection Districts, including sub-ports and other BOC offices. Only the following types of bonds are covered: (1) General Warehousing Bonds (GWB); (2) Specific Warehousing Bonds; (3) Ordinary Re-export Surety Bonds; and (4) General Transport Surety Bond (GTSB).
IATA e-AWB
The best source of reference information is the website of the International Air Transport Association (www.iata.org ).
e-AWB is an integral part of IATA e-freight project which aims to take paper out of air cargo and replace it with the exchange of electronic data and messages. Initiated by IATA, the project became an industry-wide initiative involving carriers, freight forwarders, ground handlers, shippers, customs brokers and customs authorities.
The AWB (AirWaybill) is the most important transportation document in Air Cargo. The e-AWB electronic AirWaybill), is the first step to realize the e-freight vision. The e-AWB project replaces the paper AWB with an electronic contract of carriage between the Freight Forwarder and the Carrier.
The benefits associated to the e-AWB are shared between all stakeholders, including regulators. The most important benefits are the following:
• Reduced costs: Elimination of purchase costs for pre-printed paper AWB, reduced AWB printing and archiving costs
• Higher productivity: Elimination of repeating data keying, real time access to AWB information, reduction in cargo handling delays due to missing or illegible paper AWB, detection of errors prior to submitting the physical freight, no waiting time for processing paper AWB at airline desk
• Better reliability: No risk of losing documents and reduced number of errors
• Regulatory compliance: Authorized by international treaties regulating air cargo transport; contribution to the advanced reporting requirements
• Paving the way towards e-freight: A first step toward a paper free air cargo, involving less stakeholders.
(Source: e-AWB Factsheet www.iata.org)
Leo V. Morada is a domain expert on IT applications in Philippine port operations with 25 years’ senior IT management experience implementing technology solutions in port operations, electronic transactions with customs & port authority, and air/sea port community system applications. He is CEO of Cargo Data Exchange Center, Inc, a customs-accredited Value Added Service Provider. He can be contacted at lmorada3f1@yahoo.com.