Customer Advisory: Japan 24 Hour Adavnced Manifest Regulation

Dear Valued Customers,

OOCL would like to provide you an update on the Japan Customs 24 hour Advance Manifest Regulation (JP24), also referred to as AFR (Advanced Filing Rules). The regulation requires all ocean carriers and Non Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) to submit a list of customs-defined data elements to Japan Customs at least 24 hours prior to vessel departure from the Port of Loading. The regulation is applicable to all cargoes bound for Japan import or transshipment, while ocean carrier empty containers, cargo on platform containers, and Freight Remained on Board (FROB) containers are exempted. The filing is made 24 hours before loading of a cargo on a vessel by carriers and NVOCCs in order to allow time to receive any advance notice of a loading restriction before loading of the cargo.

Failure to properly comply with this JP24 rule could result in cargo being held at port of loading or the denial of permission to unload cargo from the vessel in Japan with the possibility of returning the cargo to the load port. Failure to comply with the regulation will expose carriers and NVOCCs to penalties including imprisonment for up to one year, or fines up to JPY500,000.

In keeping with the regulation, OOCL will not load any containers for which shipping instructions are not provided by the required time frame, or if OOCL receives a Do-Not-Load or Hold message. OOCL will not discharge any containers which receive a Do-Not-Unload message from Japan Customs. Costs associated with holding any containers at the port of loading or on a vessel, including but not limited to, demurrage, detention, monitoring, and return shipment sea freight, will be for the account of the shipper and or forwarder.

From 1 March to 8 March, 2014, OOCL will have a pilot run of the new customs manifest submission process prior to the effective date on 9 March, 2014. Once effective, JP24 will be applicable to all OOCL shipments, and we would also like to highlight the following details for your kind attention: 

• Carriers’ submission will be on the Master B/L level only. NVOCCs are obliged to file House B/L directly with Customs; carriers are not allowed to file House B/L on behalf of NVOCCs.
• All customers are requested to provide complete and accurate shipping instructions before the shipping instruction cut off time, which will be announced and published on our oocl.com website, as well as in our Booking Acknowledgements/ Confirmations.
• The mandatory data elements in your shipping instructions are including but not limited to:
  • House B/L, END B/L or house final B/L issued for the specific shipment
  • Full name and address (including telephone number and postal code) of shipper and consignee
  • Full name and address (including telephone number and postal code) of notify party where goods are carried under a negotiable “to order” B/L
  • Container number
  • Seal number
  • Accurate description of goods (including marks and numbers, packages, gross weight, volume in cubic feet or cubic meters, etc)
  • 6-digit HS code (WCO 2012 Version) for goods items
  • IMDG code and UNDG code where applicable
  • Contact email address to receive the House B/L Association notice where applicable

Please click here for the full list.

NVOCCs are respectfully requested to fulfill below extra requirements:

• Ensure system connection ready for the Japan 24 advance manifest before the effective date
• Provide E-mail address of contact person in SI for subsequent JP24-related follow-up
• Complete accurate House B/L filing (AHR) to Japan Customs timely, 24 hours before vessel ETA is strongly recommended
• Inform OOCL immediately upon receipt of any Hold or Do-not-load message from Japan Customs

NVOCCs are liable for the completeness, timeliness and accuracy of each AHR Filing required to be submitted, and are fully responsible for any liability, claims, loss, damage, costs or expenses, etc. (including, without limitation, legal fees) incurred due to a late or inaccurate AHR Filing, or failure to notify OOCL on any Customs’ Hold or Do-Not-Load Message.

In view of the seriousness of the above, we stress the importance of complying 100% with the deadlines. Any amendments to shipping instructions will not be acted upon until confirmed in writing.

OOCL will continue to update customers if there are any further developments on this customs initiative. Should you have any inquiries relating to this regulation, please feel free to contact our customer service representatives.

We thank our customers for your valuable support.