ACE eManifest Rail and Sea programs are administered by US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agency. It makes it possible for freight forwarders, ocean & rail carriers to submit their manifests electronically to CBP before the vessel arrives at a US port or a train arrives at a US border crossing.
As a participant in the ACE Rail and Sea programs, you will need to secure an International Carrier Bond. You will have to seek the services of an approved surety to get the Type-3 International Carrier Bond. To apply for the customs bond you will need to complete CBP Form 301. The Treasury’s Financial Management Service maintains a list of approved sureties on their website named “Circular 570”. You can access the list from their website or if you have any issues or need more information you can contact them by phone or by email. You will only need one bond, which will allow you to operate at all points of entry into the US. Any questions about the bond application process can be directed to cbp.bondquestions@dhs.gov.
ACE eManifest Rail and Sea programs are administered by US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agency. It makes it possible for freight forwarders, ocean & rail carriers to submit their manifests electronically to CBP before the vessel arrives at a US port or a train arrives at a US border crossing.
As a participant in the ACE Rail and Sea programs, you will need to secure an International Carrier Bond. You will have to seek the services of an approved surety to get the Type-3 International Carrier Bond. To apply for the customs bond you will need to complete CBP Form 301. The Treasury’s Financial Management Service maintains a list of approved sureties on their website named “Circular 570”. You can access the list from their website or if you have any issues or need more information you can contact them by phone or by email. You will only need one bond, which will allow you to operate at all points of entry into the US. Any questions about the bond application process can be directed to cbp.bondquestions@dhs.gov.
You will need to declare the type of trade participant you are and provide a range of information. The categories include
Master Vessel Operating Common Carrier (MVOCC)
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC)
Secondary Notify Party (SNP)
Importer Security Filing (ISF) – ISF-5 applies to carriers while ISF-10 applies to importers. The (5) denotes the requirement of 5 data elements and the (10) denotes the requirement of 10 data elements.
If you wish to set up for eManifest: Ocean and Rail and in a category not covered in the mentioned types, you can always email the CBP at letterofintent@cbp.dhs.gov.
A statement that you intend to participate in Rail Manifest or Ocean Manifest
Indicate the type of company (terminal operator, MVOCC, Rail carrier, service centre etc.) – Service centres (web-based software) have to declare that they intend to participate as a service centre and are developing new software. Software vendors (client-hosted software) need to declare that they intend to trade as software vendors and that they are developing new software.
Provide your Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) bond number (only for NVOCC)
Provide the type 3 International Carrier bond number for MVOCC, NVOCC, and Rail carriers
Indicate your 4-letter SCAC number/code. Freight forwarders, rail and ocean carriers transporting commercial goods need to have a SCAC code, which is issued by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)
Ask for a four-character SCAC code from the CBP (for port authorities, service centres, software vendors, terminal operators)
Indicate in your application that you intend to participate in the Paperless Master in Bond Program. You need to indicate your Type 2 Custodial number if you intend to participate (Applies to MVOCC, NVOCC, and Rail Carriers).
Provide the type of EDI data syntax you intend to use. (CAMIR, ANSI X12, EDIFACT)
Submit an LOI to the CBP for every client who will be using your company to receive and transmit manifest data (applies to service centres, and port authorities).
The letter of intent for operation as a port authority needs to include the port code and port name from where you intend to operate.