US Customs to demand sensitive information under 10+2 plan

US CUSTOMS will likely demand more information - some of it sensitive - from shippers about their shipments before they are loaded in foreign ports, reports New York's Journal of Commerce.

The US Customs and Border Protection Agency will release their draft "10+2" plan late October and allow 60 - 90 days public comment before promulgating the regulation, which is expected to have a one-year phase-in before enforcement.

The new "10+2" plan is expected to demand 10 additional data elements including sensitive information such as the name and address of the overseas manufacturer, seller's name and address, consignee and country of origin.

Many shippers, for competitive reasons, do not wish to divulge such information. Overseas manufacturers too may refuse to produce information or provide it too late, resulting in customs issuing a "no-load order".

US Customs also wants a vessel stow plan and container status message that would be provided by the shipping line. But such demands do not appear to raise serious objections.

The purpose is to provide authorities with advance information and extra time to use risk analysis to target suspicious shipments. The 24-hour advance manifest requires the provision of basic information on a shipment before it is loaded.