[Federal Register: March 4, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 43)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 10151-10152]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04mr04-3]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
19 CFR Part 122
Required Advance Electronic Presentation of Cargo Information:
Revised Compliance Dates for Air Cargo Information
AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Announcement of revised compliance dates.
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SUMMARY: This document advises the public of the revised implementation
schedule set forth by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection
requiring the advance electronic transmission of information for cargo
brought into the United States by air. The original date set for
compliance was March 4, 2004. There will be staggered starting dates
for compliance, with the earliest compliance date set for August 13,
2004.
DATES: The compliance date for the advance electronic transmission of
inbound air cargo information published December 5, 2003 (68 FR 68140)
is modified pursuant to Sec. 122.48a(e)(2). The implementation
schedule set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION discussion
establishes three different compliance dates when CBP will require
electronic transmission of inbound air cargo manifest data, depending
on the location of the airport where cargo arrives in the United
States.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David M. King, Manifest and Conveyance
Branch, (202) 927-1133.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 343(a) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended (the Act; 19
U.S.C. 2071 note), required that the Bureau of Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) promulgate regulations providing for the mandatory
collection of electronic cargo information, by way of a CBP-approved
electronic data interchange system, before the cargo is either brought
into or sent from the United States by any mode of commercial
transportation (sea, air, rail or truck). The cargo information
required is that which is reasonably necessary to enable high-risk
shipments to be identified for purposes of ensuring cargo safety and
security and preventing smuggling pursuant to the laws enforced and
administered by CBP.
On December 5, 2003, CBP published in the Federal Register (68 FR
68140) a final rule specifically intended to effectuate the provisions
of the Act. In particular, a new Sec. 122.48a was added to the CBP
Regulations (19 CFR 122.48a) to implement the Act's provisions relating
to inbound air commerce. Section 122.48a(a) describes the general
requirement that for inbound aircraft with commercial cargo aboard, CBP
must electronically receive information concerning the incoming cargo
in advance of its arrival. Section 122.48a(e)(1) set a general
compliance date of March 4, 2004 for those air carriers required to
participate, and other parties electing to participate, in advance
automated cargo information filing. However, pursuant to Sec.
122.48a(e)(2) CBP has set forth a revised implementation schedule in
order to complete necessary modifications to the approved electronic
data interchange system, train CBP personnel at affected ports and
complete certification testing of new participants.
The CBP-approved electronic data interchange system, through which
the affected parties will be required to transmit and receive
information pursuant to these regulatory provisions, is known as the
Air Automated Manifest System (Air AMS). Although CBP and certain trade
members presently participate in Air AMS on a voluntary basis, the
final rule established procedures not currently supported by the
existing system edits in Air AMS. Therefore, CBP has undertaken to
modify certain critical aspects of Air AMS. CBP will introduce these
changes by May 13, 2004, when a 90-day certification testing period
begins for all parties who develop Air AMS communications.
Accordingly, it is necessary for CBP to revise the compliance dates
for the advance electronic transmission of air cargo information as
specified in the following implementation schedule. Compliance dates
are staggered because they will allow CBP to deploy training resources
for its personnel on a regional basis and prevent CBP from having to
conduct certification testing for all new participants at one time.
[[Page 10152]]
Air AMS Implementation Schedule
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Date: Ports in the following locations:
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August 13, 2004................... Connecticut, Delaware, District of
Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South
Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West
Virginia.
October 13, 2004.................. Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska,
New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South
Dakota, Tennessee, Texas,
Wisconsin.
December 13, 2004................. Alaska, Arizona, California,
Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana,
Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah,
Washington.
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Beginning on the dates set forth in the implementation schedule
above, CBP will require electronic transmission of advance information
for any cargo that arrives in the United States by air at a port of
entry within one of the locations specified.
Technical Requirements
The technical specifications required for participation in Air AMS
are detailed in the CBP publication Customs Automated Manifest
Interface Requirements (CAMIR-AIR), currently available on the CBP
website at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/operations_support/automated_systems/ams/camir_air/
.
Once the changes to Air AMS are introduced, CBP will update CAMIR-
AIR with the new technical specifications. Those seeking to develop
software based on the new system edits may begin certification testing
of such software after May 13, 2004. Existing Air AMS participants and
potential Air AMS participants will have until the revised compliance
date to complete changes to their software or procure software that is
compliant with the new specifications.
Dated: February 27, 2004.
Robert C. Bonner,
Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 04-4725 Filed 3-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P