U.S. CBP Helping Importers with 10+2 Rule

Noteworthy news to catch up the current status of US 10+2 rule enforcement.

(Source: UPS Trade Broadcast as of March 31, 2010)

Officials from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are helping the trade community adjust to the Importer Security Filing rule, commonly known as "10+2" because of the 10 security data elements required from importers and two from carriers, which must generally be transmitted to CBP 24 hours before a U.S.-bound container is loaded aboard a ship. CBP began full enforcement of the rule on January 26, 2010 and plans to gradually step up enforcement measures throughout the year.

During a recent gathering of the Coalition of New England Companies for Trade, Richard DiNucci, director of the Secure Freight Initiative, reportedly told attendees that weekly filings of the 10+2 data have increased by 25 percent since January 26. DiNucci also reportedly stated that, "About 70 to 80 percent of importers are filing, and some ports are 95 to 100 percent compliant." He added that CBP is continuing to reach out to importers to explain the rules.

According to DiNucci, CBP will send out warning letters "shortly" to importers that are not in compliance with the rule but "will not penalize importers who have failed." At the same time, Cynthia Whittenburg, the director of the CBP Trade Facilitation and Administration Division, said the new Importer Security Filing rule would be integrated into CBP's ACE system, when it transitions to what she called "steady state" in 2011.