A SECOND batch of international carriers will test this week the advance inward foreign manifest (IFM) submission system of Cargo Data Exchange Center (CDEC).
CDEC, a Bureau of Customs (BOC)-accredited value-added service provider (VASP), is looking at completing tests on at least 20 member-lines of the Association of International Shipping Lines (AISL) by month’s end.
CDEC is one of two VASPs chosen by AISL to handle IFM submission for its members. The other is e-Konek Pilipinas.
CDEC general manager Leo Morada told PortCalls the initial batch of shipping lines is almost through with the test. They are Evergreen, K-Line, Hapag Lloyd, NYK and American President Lines.
The next batch consists of Ben Line, TMS, Regional Container Lines, Atiko and Uniship.
“We are fast tracking our testing with the shipping lines. This week, we will commence testing our system with the next five shipping lines and maybe double the number of carriers undergoing testing to 10 by February 16,” Morada, who is also PortCalls’ information technology columnist, explained.
“By end of the month, we are targeting at least 20 shipping lines to have completed our tests on the IFM that will be ready for final assessment by the BOC,” Morada said.
“Aside from the electronic submission of manifest, we are also testing our new XML system with the shipping lines and consolidators and expect to fully introduce it to them by next month,” he added.
The testing involves do’s and don’ts in the IFM submission and the difference between the XML system as required by the new operating system of the BOC (AsycudaWorld) and the existing ACOS (Automated Customs Operation System).
Under Customs Administrative Order 1-2007, the BOC requires shipping lines and freight forwarders to provide it with accurate data on vessels and cargoes that will arrive at any port 12 hours prior through electronic transfer coursed through any of its accredited VASPs. Air carriers and forwarders are required to submit the IFM two hours before arrival.
