Product Information
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IMPORT SERVICES
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Customs Entry Procedures
ALL FREIGHT offers complete Customs brokerage services. We are experienced in all products, from textiles, hard goods to foodstuffs and other perishables. Our expert staff provides up-to-date knowledge on all Customs regulations as well as other Federal agencies, such as Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture, Department of Fish and Wildlife, etc.
Your import cargo will be handled according to your exact requirements. We work with you to understand fully your classification, value and logistics requirements and develop procedures that ensure we comply with the regulations. We are located minutes from two of the major international airports on the West Coast. This enables us to expedite all ocean, air, and domestic inland shipments and to deal directly with air, ocean and inland carriers in the Seattle/Tacoma and Los Angeles/Long Beach/San Pedro port areas.
Actions by ALL FREIGHT
Upon receipt of the importer's Customs Power of Attorney by All Freight we review the importers program and establish our internal procedures. Once our instructions are clear, we create an Account Record Sheet. This document reflects your account information and our procedural requirements. (i.e. classification, service fees, billing address, contacts, etc.).
All invoice(s) will be classified in accordance with your instructions. If you have not established a program to pre-classify your goods, we can assist you in developing this information. If you require it, we will guide you and your suppliers in describing all merchandise as accurately and clearly as possible. By doing so, we avoid any potential Customs clearance delays due to inaccurate or conflicting information.
All Freight/AFI will input the data into our system and transmit it to the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) system. The merchandise thus qualifies for the Cargo Selectivity procedure that enables us to input all import data as early as five (5) business days prior to vessel arrival. Notification of release or examination should be received from U.S. Customs within 24 hours of our transmission. If we do not receive paperless Customs clearance, we then prepare and print hard copies of the U. S. Customs form CF 3461's for submission. We will issue a delivery order to the trucker so he may start tracking the availability of the shipment.
If the cargo is designated for examination, we will notify you immediately that your cargo will be delayed. We will attempt to identify specifically what cargo customs wishes to see so that every container in the shipments doesn’t have to be sent to the warehouse and unloaded.
If you wish to be notified when the cargo is released from Customs we can include that notice in our procedures.
Actions by Importer
All Freight strives to obtain cargo release prior to the arrival of the goods. It is possible for the importer to have the goods unloaded from the carrier and immediately delivered to the consignee’s door. In order to achieve this standard, it is necessary to prepare the Customs entry prior to the arrival of the goods.
We recommend to all our customers that they provide copies of the following shipping documents to ALL FREIGHT or AFI at least five (5) business days prior to carrier arrival:
- Invoice(s)
- Packing List(s)
- Bill of Lading(s
- Other Relevant Document(s)
Overseas suppliers should be instructed to indicate ALL FREIGHT or AFI (California), depending upon the port of entry, as the first notify party on all documentation. This enables ALL FREIGHT or AFI to receive arrival notices for incoming shipments from the steamship or air carrier agents. This will also provide ALL FREIGHT or AFI with advance notice on inbound shipments so that we may begin the necessary paperwork.
Release of cargo:
To ensure timely release of cargo, we ask importers to instruct their suppliers to distribute documents as follows:
- Import documents should be received by ALL FREIGHT or AFI prior to vessel arrival to allow sufficient time for input of data. Have the supplier fax a full set at least 5 days prior to arrival.
- When a shipment is negotiated through a bank, a minimum of three (3) sets of complete documents will be required. One set of originals should be received by All Freight at least two business days prior to vessel arrival. This allows us time to prepare the courier pouches to surrender your bills of lading to the NVO or the steamship line.
- ALL FREIGHT should be shown as the notify party on the ocean bill of lading so that we will receive arrival information from the carrier. We cannot input the customs entry until we have the arrival notice from the NVO or the carrier.
- When shipment information is transmitted via ABI we expect the following results:
- Customs will either release the cargo as "paperless" or require entry documents for further review.
- If paperless, the merchandise is released for delivery.
- In order to qualify for paperless release, U.S. Customs requires that you maintain a quality record and have a continuous term bond on file.
Depending on cargo availability and arrival day, released merchandise can be picked up within 24 hours of vessel arrival.
If cargo examination is required, arrangements will be made prior to arrival, thus saving several days’ time.
Quota One Stop
All quota merchandise entered under Cargo Selectivity will be given preferential treatment. The Quota One Stop system was initiated by Customs for ABI Brokers only and enables prompt release on quota merchandise. Normal release time under Quota One Stop is approximately 24 hours.
Missing Or Late Documents
If we received a pre-alert to start our file, ALL FREIGHT/AFI (California) will notify you immediately if original documents for an ocean shipment have not been received prior to cargo arrival. We will request that you fax us copies of the original documents for preparation of entry package. Every effort will be made to expedite this process in order to avoid any and all demurrage and/or storage charges.
Request for Information (CF 28) and Notices of Action (CF 29)
Customs sends the importer and the broker Requests for Information or Notices of Action. We will forward copies of the CF 28's and CF 29's to you with an explanation. Please discuss with us how you are going to respond. We may be able to assist you in formulating a reply that will protect your interests. We are especially interested that the samples you submit conform to import requirements.
Liquidations
Notices of liquidation, Customs bills, and refund checks will be sent by U.S. Customs directly to you. We will assist in obtaining further information on all entries liquidated and trace duty refunds or increases as needed.
Protests
Protests will be prepared upon request, and submitted by us on your behalf.
Duty Rates
Under the Customs Modernization Act, the importer is responsible for the quality and accuracy of the customs entry and duty calculation. It is prudent to review your commodities to determine what the correct classification should be. In come cases you may wish to apply for a binding ruling prior to the importation of the first shipment to insure you will be charged the same rate over the life of the project.
We can assist you in developing accurate tariff and duty rates. We subscribe to a rulings data base that includes all current rulings issued by Customs Headquarters. We can provide you with current duty rates and assist you with calculations for your specific commodities.
Customs Value:
Customs expects you to declare the price paid or payable for the goods, plus any additions for materials provided free of charge or at a reduced cost. You will want to examine your production records to see whether you sent materials, tags or molds to your supplier. This will affect the value on which duty is based. If you did, contact the broker to ensure the correct declarations are made on a timely basis.
Record Keeping:
You are required to maintain all records specified in the A (1) a list found in 19 CFR, and payment history for 5 years from date of importation. Some special import programs require records to be kept as long as 8 years. We can assist you in identifying what records to keep and how to validate them against the import transaction.