CSMS Message: 09-000371

On December 12, 2009, CBP added a warning message response to any ISF filing that is filed using one of the flexibility options. The ISF will receive the error message 'COMPLETE TRANSACTION REQUIRED' and it will be accepted with warnings. CBP has the expectation that a filer will follow-up with a complete ISF after they have filed the original ISF using one of the flexibilities. If all of the data submitted in the original ISF is complete and accurate, the transaction should be submitted as a complete transaction. If necessary, the filer will still have the ability to modify the ISF submission after a complete transaction is submitted.

The following are reminders to ISF filers pertaining to recent or upcoming changes:

1. On January 26, 2009, the filing requirements for Importer Security Filing became mandatory. CBP expects all filers to be filing ISF data for any ocean shipment entering the U.S. While CBP has provided a one year flexible enforcement period to allow filers to work through various problems and to come into compliance with these requirements, the end of that time frame is fast approaching. Please be sure ISF data is filed for every applicable ocean shipment that you are importing into the U.S.

2. There has been an increase in calls regarding 'NO BILL ON FILE' messages. While CBP understands that many bills of lading may be associated with a single shipment, AMS only allows for the possibility of one or two bills being associated with a shipment. In the instance of one bill of lading referencing a shipment, the bill is generally referred to as a straight, simple, or regular bill. In the instance of two bills of lading referencing a shipment, there will be both a master bill and a house bill, of which the house bill is the lowest bill level. There cannot be a master bill with no house and there cannot be a house bill with no master. Again, if there is only one bill in AMS, it would be a simple bill.

For an ISF filer to receive a 'BILL ON FILE' message, the bill(s) of lading submitted in the ISF must be the at the loweset bill level and must match the bill(s) of lading submitted in AMS. A match is made when the bill type(s) (i.e. master, house, or simple) and the bill number(s) submitted in the ISF match exactly to the bill type(s) and bill number(s) submitted in AMS for manifest purposes. A bill that is improperly submitted in the ISF will not receive a 'BILL ON FILE' message.

3. While bonds are not currently required for ISF, CBP would like to emphasize that the bond data must be submitted properly beginning January 26, 2010. A bond type 9 (single transaction bond) may only be used with a bond activity code 16 (ISF bond) for a stand alone ISF. A bond type 9 may NOT be submitted with a bond activity code 01 for a stand alone ISF. Any stand alone ISF with the 01/9 combination will be rejected beginning January 26, 2010.

4. The unified ABI documents (Entry Summary with ISF, Cargo Release with ISF, and FTZ with ISF) are no longer available on the ISF Transaction Sets page. They can be found in the appropriate ABI Chapters of the CATAIR, including Entry Summary, Cargo Release, and Foreign Trade Zone. A link to the ABI Chapters webpage can be found on the ISF Transaction Sets page until further notice. All future changes of these documents will be reflected directly in the ABI CATAIR.

If you have any questions, please contact your assigned Client Representative or call 703-650-3500.