America Systems Facilitate with New Customs Rule

Americas Systems has implemented a solution geared for the U. S. Customs 24-hour rule compliance, allowing ocean carriers and NVOCCs to comply with new EDI and information standards required by Customs for all shipments loaded on vessels calling at ports in the United States. Ocean carriers and Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) must transmit shipment manifest data into Customs Automated Manifest System (AMS) at least 24 hours prior to loading at foreign port of origin. A grace period for complying with the new rule will end February 3, 2003. Customs officials plan to use the advanced cargo information to evaluate the terrorist risk from cargo containers. Analysis and screening of the advanced cargo information will play a central role in the international Cargo Security Initiative (CSI), led by the United States in cooperation with Germany, the U.K., Singapore and other major trading nations throughout the world. The first ocean carrier to engage the Americas Systems solution was Maersk Sealand, one of the largest container lines in the world. The mandate was to adhere to the manifest ruling by using a combination of existing systems, manual workarounds and system enhancements. Americas Systems professionals used the company’s TARGET Method to deliver the system enhancement project on time and on budget. Said Michael Simon, Americas Systems president: The multi-level TARGET Method approach allows us to define, compare and manage project planning and development. We are working with companies in various segments of the international supply chain to determine the impact of new security requirements. TARGET allows us to manage those engagements in a way that ensures and measures project success.