What’s new in CargoWise Customs: October 2024

Staying up to date with the latest customs and compliance changes is more important than ever. With regulations constantly evolving, logistics businesses need to ensure they are compliant to avoid costly delays, penalties, or disruptions in their supply chain.

Leveraging advanced technology, like CargoWise, can help you navigate these changes seamlessly. By automating complex customs processes, reducing human error, and providing real-time updates, CargoWise empowers logistics providers to stay compliant while maintaining operational efficiency.

Check out some of the latest customs and compliance capabilities added to CargoWise, including enhanced shipment validation for dangerous goods, new updates to ensure compliance with Inter-RA AWB handling in Hong Kong, and streamlined editable weight fields for the New Computerized Transit System (NCTS P5) in Europe.

Enhanced shipment validation for dangerous goods – GLOBAL

We've launched new validations for forwarding shipments that ensure all essential dangerous goods information is included for ocean bookings. This enhancement helps you stay compliant with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) IMDG Code and Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), making shipping safer and easier.

The updates include error messages for missing information, such as the net explosive quantity for Class 1 dangerous goods and the technical name for substances with special provisions. These notifications will help you catch any omissions before finalizing your bookings, reducing the risk of delays.

When booking Class 1 explosive articles or substances, you must declare the net explosive quantity. If the dangerous goods substance has a Standard of IMO or CFR and a State of A (explosive article) or E (explosive substance), our system will flag an error if the ‘Weight’ and ‘Volume’ fields are left blank in a linked SEA Consolidation. This feature enhances your shipping experience and supports safer transportation for everyone involved.

New updates to the Form of Undertaking for Inter-RA AWB handling – HONG KONG

The ‘Form of Undertaking for Inter-RA AWB Handling’ has been updated to align with the Handling Procedures for the Regulated Agent Regime (RAR) issued by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department in May 2023.

The RAR is a framework designed to enhance aviation security by establishing stringent requirements for regulated agents involved in air cargo handling. This ensures that only authorized and vetted entities are permitted to manage air cargo, thereby reducing the risk of introducing security threats into the aviation supply chain.

Accessing the updated form from an export air consolidation within a Hong Kong login company will reveal several amendments. The annex number in the document header has been updated, and the regulation section number in the document body has also been revised. Additionally, the wording "SCO" has been removed from Section II, and the footer text has been amended for better accuracy.

These updates are designed to streamline the handling process for regulated agents and enhance overall compliance with Hong Kong's aviation regulations. By adhering to the RAR guidelines, stakeholders can contribute to a more secure air transport environment.

New self-filer feature for advanced cargo reporting – GLOBAL

CargoWise now offers a valuable feature that allows users to determine if the consignee or freight forwarder acts as a self-filer for advanced cargo reporting. This capability is particularly important for forwarders managing imports into regions that require advanced cargo reporting, such as the ICS2 reporting for the EU. By choosing to self-file, forwarders can take on the responsibility for reporting instead of relying solely on the carrier.

Advanced cargo reporting is crucial for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and enhancing security measures in international trade. For forwarders, managing this process effectively can help avoid potential delays and penalties associated with non-compliance. Additionally, self-filing allows forwarders to maintain greater control over their shipments, ensuring that all necessary data is accurately reported and submitted on time. This is especially vital in regions where regulatory scrutiny is high, as failure to comply can lead to significant operational disruptions.

This update enables easy configuration of a self-filer within both the consignee organization and the receiving agent organization. If the receiving agent decides to self-file to an external platform, they can indicate this within CargoWise by simply ticking the ‘Advance Cargo Reporting’ box in the organization's forwarding/agent section.

Streamlined editable weight fields for NCTS P5 compliance – EUROPE

To comply with the technical requirements of NCTS P5, which enhances the functionality of the New Computerized Transit System for customs processes, we’ve improved the House Consignment form. The Total Gross Weight and Unloaded Gross Weight fields in the Unloading Remarks section are now editable, allowing you to specify higher weights when needed.

Previously, these fields automatically displayed the calculated sum of the Gross Weights from Goods Items. With this update, you can now input weights that account for additional loading aids or other factors that may increase the overall weight of the consignment, ensuring more accurate and flexible documentation.

This enhancement streamlines the compliance process and provides greater accuracy in representing the total weights of your shipments, facilitating smoother customs processing.

Enhanced APHIS compliance – U.S.

CargoWise is now fully equipped to support the recent APHIS changes announced in CSMS# 61491237, ensuring you stay compliant with updated regulations.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, including regulating the import and export of plants and animals. These updates are vital for maintaining the safety and health of U.S. agriculture.

Most changes involve minor adjustments to drop-down menu options, enhancing usability and accuracy in your submissions. One significant update is the restructuring of Category Code 702, which has been divided into three distinct codes: 702A for bees, 702B for bee equipment, and 702C for bee products.