In a competitive business environment, safeguarding the details of your supply chain is crucial. Fortunately, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality program offers a way to keep critical shipping data private, preventing competitors from gaining insights into your supply chain strategies.
Understanding Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality
- Purpose: This program allows importers, consignees, and shippers to request CBP to keep certain elements of vessel manifests confidential, including names and addresses. This protects sensitive information from being publicly accessible.
- Scope: The program covers 22 different data points on manifests, which can include consignee, notify party names, addresses, and shipper party details.
Confidentiality in Inward and Outward Manifests
- Inward Manifests: Importers or consignees can request confidential treatment of their name and address, including identifying marks and numbers, as per 19 CFR §103.31 (d)(1).
- Outward Manifests: Shippers or their authorized employees can request confidentiality for the shipper’s name and address, detailed in 19 CFR §103.31 (d)(2).
Exclusions from Public Disclosure
- Non-Disclosable Data: According to 19 CFR §103.31a, advance electronic information for air, truck, and rail cargo, and Importer Security Filing information for vessel cargo, are generally exempt from public disclosure.
Duration of Confidentiality
- Validity Period: Confidentiality lasts for two years from the request’s processing date and applies to all U.S. ports of entry.
- Renewal: To maintain continuous confidentiality, submit a renewal request approximately two to three months before the current approval expires.
How to Request Confidentiality
- Online Application: CBP offers a free, automated online application for submitting confidentiality requests. This system allows for direct input of all business name variations.
- Matching ACE Entries: Ensure that the names provided match the business entities entered in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). Regularly review your ACE activity to catch all variations of declared business parties.
- Processing Time: CBP typically processes requests in less than 24 hours.
By utilizing the Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality program, businesses can effectively shield their supply chain information from competitors, enhancing their competitive edge. This program is a valuable tool for maintaining the privacy of your shipping strategies and protecting the integrity of your supply chain operations.
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