receivedbyhaffaon16dec2002.docVIP

Received by HAFFA on 16 Dec 2002 ? !!! INDUSTRY ALERT !!! ? ADDRESSING U.S. CUSTOMS PROPOSED 24-HOUR RULE ? The final ruling from the U.S. Customs Service to require manifest filing no later than 24 hours prior to U.S. bound cargo being loaded at the foreign has been posted and poses a conundrum for the NVOCC community. ? It also that all shippers, consignees and cargo details be reported, either in total by the ocean carrier, or separately, by the NVOCC. ? Compliance choices for the NVO are limited.? No longer shielded by the covering bill of lading, shipper, consignee and commodity description must all be declared on documents presented to the vessel operator.? Leaving these details open to the public, your customer base becomes additional marketing data that is easily accessed and capitalized on by the steamship lines, to your disadvantage. ? In order to maintain proprietary ownership of this information, there is another alternative.? The rule provides for the NVOCC to become a certified AMS carrier and file its own cargo manifest directly with customs, bypassing the ocean carriers.?? Attaining this position does not come without a price.? A major commitment to technology is required by coming to terms with the Automated Manifest System, or AMS. ? With the constantly shrinking margins in one of the most competitive industries today, how does the NVOCC comply?? Where does the investment capital come from for an undertaking that requires the purchase of hardware, software, modifications, testing, certification, and on-going monitoring and maintenance? ? There is one other alternative. ? Having served the international transportation industry for over 20 years, Vilden Associates has developed e-Clear to partner with you and provide a turnkey, certified platform to respond to this drastic change in global commerce. With negligible up front investment, our maritime helpdesk support, application software, host computer hardware, programming, telecommunications net