According to their website, the sessions are designed to teach importers, exporters, and others in the industry about ISF. Other countries have similar initiatives in the works, so even for exporters this is a good opportunity to learn the details of ISF compliance straight from the ones who will be enforcing it in January 2010.

CBP is hosting trade outreach events in various locations around the country to provide the trade community with an opportunity to learn more about the new Importer Security Filing and Additional Carrier Requirements (a.k.a. ISF/”10+2”) interim final rule. These events are intended to give the importing and filing community a basic understanding of how to fulfill the new requirements. Space is limited so please pre-register using the CBP on-line registration process.

Here are the remaining dates and locations. If you are interested in attending, visit the CBP 10+2 Outreach page to RSVP.

• Chicago, IL – Wednesday, September 23
• San Francisco, CA – Wednesday, September 23
• Washington, DC – Tuesday, September 29
• New York, NY – Wednesday, September 30
• Norfolk, VA – Wednesday, September 30

Turn Customs 10+2 from a Challenge into an Opportunity

Leverage 10+2 Elements to Reduce Data Errors and find out how importers are using ISF as a strategic initiative in this SupplyChainBrain.com video interview, “Strategic Opportunities that 10+2 Presents.”

For the importers, a late filing can result in a $5,000 penalty for liquidated damages for each inaccurate ISF. Inaccurate filings, inaccurate updates, and the failure to withdraw an ISF can also result in $5,000 claim for liquidated damages.

For the freight forwarders, claims for liquidated damages for failure to file a CSM (Container Status Message), late CSMs, and inaccurate CSMs may be assessed up to a maximum of $100,000 per vessel arrival.

Choosing not to file your ISF at all? Hope you don’t really need that shipment!

CBP shall withhold the release or transfer of the cargo until CBP receives the required ISF information and has had the opportunity to review the documentation and conduct any necessary examination.

CBP also reserves the right to limit the permit to unlade so as to not permit unlading of merchandise for which no ISF has been filed, and, if such cargo is unladen without permission, it may be subject to seizure. All seizures will be approved by CBP Headquarters.

Customs Law Blog has an excellent post regarding Customs 10+2 penalties and mitigation as well as the link to the original document, which details all penalties and ISF requirements.

Avoid the 10+2 ISF Penalties

Customs 10+2 / ISF is an opportunity to enhance your company’s import compliance. Automating Import Compliance. Elements of 10 + 2 filings are the same for other import documentation.

Learn more about how to turn this challenge into an opportunity in our new video, “Strategic Opportunities that 10+2 Presents.”