On August 23, 2019, U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) announced that in the coming months, CBP will deploy a new online tool that will allow importers and exporters to have their vessel manifest data confidentiality requests processed in as little as 24 hours. The new process will enable importers and exporters to manage their own confidentiality requests electronically via an online process.
Currently, importers and exporters already have the capability to request from CBP that their names and addresses on inbound and outbound vessel manifests be withheld from public view. However, the current process involves either an email, fax or mail requests that can take CBP up to 60 to 90 days to process.
The vessel manifest data includes important importer and exporter information, such as shipper names and addresses, consignee names and addresses, notify party names and addresses, piece counts, description of goods, container numbers, and seal numbers.
Confidentiality certifications for importers and exporters must be renewed every two years from the date of validation.
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