U.S. Customs 24-Hour Advance Vessel Manifest Rule

Carriers and NVOCCs to submit a cargo declaration to CBP 24 hours before cargo is loaded onto vessels calling the United States.

The purpose of the rule is to enable CBP to analyse container content information before a container is loaded and thereby in advance decide on its loading/no loading status.

The rule is administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In case of non-compliance with the rule, the most serious consequence would be the halting of loading or unloading and a consequent disruption of cargo flows and supply chains. Furthermore, CBP imposes fines or other penalties on the carriers and other parties responsible for the submission of cargo declarations.

The scope of the rule

The 24-Hour Advance Vessel Manifest Rule applies to:

All vessels due to call at a U.S. port.
All cargo destined for the U.S. or carried via U.S. ports to a non-U.S. destination.

The rule applies whether the load port is a Container Security Initiative (CSI) port or not.

The rule does not apply to:

Feeder or transhipment vessels that are not calling at the U.S. However, the 24-Hour Advance Manifest Rule does apply when the cargo is transhipped onto a vessel that calls at the U.S.
Bulk shipments as defined in the regulations.

Read more about how the rule applies here:
» How to comply
» Information required by U.S. Customs
» Special requirements to NVOCCs

More about the rule
» World Shipping Council
» Harmonized Tariff Schedule