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Importer Security Filing 096 – What are the Requirements for the Carrier?

Carrier Requirements:

1. Vessel Stow Plan
Besides the 24-Hour Rule regulations, the ISF “10+2” rule makes it mandatory for carriers to file a vessel stow plan for all vessels heading to the US. All ships transporting containers need to have a stow plan on file with the CBP no later than 48 hours after the vessel leaves the foreign port for the United States. The stow plan will need to be sent to CBP before the vessel docks at its first port for the call in the US. Breakbulk and bulk carriers are usually exempted from this requirement but all other carriers need to submit the advanced electronic record through email, secure file transfer protocol (SFTP), and any other electronic data interchange system approved by the CBP.

Vessel information:

  1. Vessel Name
  2. Voyage Number
  3. Vessel Operator


Concerning every container:

  1. Container Operator
  2. Port of Discharge
  3. Equipment Number
  4. Port of Lading
  5. Equipment type and size
  6. Hazmat code if it applies
  7. Stow Position


2. Container Status Messages
In addition to the 24-Hour Rule requirements, the ISF “10+2” rule also mandates carriers to file container status messages (CSMs) to the agency daily. The notification messages apply to particular events related to the container cargo headed to the United States from foreign ports. Applicable CSM’s include any created by the UN EDIFACT or the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 

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