Dear Customer,

The U.S. Census Bureau, the controlling U.S. agency for reporting export information, will start requiring mandatory filing of all export documentation through the Automated Export System (AES). The regulation was approved and effective on July 2, 2008 but will only be fully implemented on September 30, 2008.

International Freight Systems already uses AES to report export shipments but these new regulations require that we submit documentation through AES a minimum of 24-hours prior to cutoff date...not sailing date. Some vessel lines are going further and requiring that we complete AES documentation a minimum of 48-hours prior to cutoff date at the railroad or the port. Various vessel lines are implementing these new regulations as early as September 15, 2008 in order to be fully compliant with the U.S. Census Bureau's regulations prior to the official implementation date.

In order to standardize all requirements of the U.S. Census Bureau and the ocean carriers, International Freight Systems will start asking that all of our export customers have all export documentation to us 48-hours prior to the vessel cutoff date (not sailing date) starting September 15, 2008. This will eliminate all chances of error and/or failure to comply with the new regulation. The penalty for failure to comply is subject to a fine from the U.S. Census Bureau of up to $10,000.

If you have any questions, please call Reneé Blankenship, our ocean export manager, at 206-433-2614. She will advise you of the cutoff dates for your shipments, the documentation required and when it will be required for your shipments in order to comply.

Thank you.

Best regards,

International Freight Systems
1200 S. 192^nd Street, Suite 100
Seattle, WA. 98148
Tel: 206-433-2614
Fax: 206-433-2807

International Freight Systems (of WA) LLC Newsletter is a bulletin for customers and partners.  Information contained in this publication has been gathered from a number of public sources that, to the best International Freight Systems’ knowledge, are true and correct.  It is our intent to present only accurate information.  However, in the event any information contained in this newsletter is erroneous, International Freight Systems (of WA) LLC accepts no liability or responsibility.

For more information on importation and U.S. Customs please click on the below link directly to Customs & Border Protection website:  www.cbp.gov