[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 43 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10151-10152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-4725]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Bureau of Customs and Border Protection

19 CFR Part 122


Required Advance Electronic Presentation of Cargo Information: 
Revised Compliance Dates for Air Cargo Information

AGENCY: Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Announcement of revised compliance dates.

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SUMMARY: This document advises the public of the revised implementation 
schedule set forth by the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection 
requiring the advance electronic transmission of information for cargo 
brought into the United States by air. The original date set for 
compliance was March 4, 2004. There will be staggered starting dates 
for compliance, with the earliest compliance date set for August 13, 
2004.

DATES: The compliance date for the advance electronic transmission of 
inbound air cargo information published December 5, 2003 (68 FR 68140) 
is modified pursuant to Sec.  122.48a(e)(2). The implementation 
schedule set forth in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION discussion 
establishes three different compliance dates when CBP will require 
electronic transmission of inbound air cargo manifest data, depending 
on the location of the airport where cargo arrives in the United 
States.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David M. King, Manifest and Conveyance 
Branch, (202) 927-1133.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 343(a) of the Trade Act of 2002, as amended (the Act; 19 
U.S.C. 2071 note), required that the Bureau of Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) promulgate regulations providing for the mandatory 
collection of electronic cargo information, by way of a CBP-approved 
electronic data interchange system, before the cargo is either brought 
into or sent from the United States by any mode of commercial 
transportation (sea, air, rail or truck). The cargo information 
required is that which is reasonably necessary to enable high-risk 
shipments to be identified for purposes of ensuring cargo safety and 
security and preventing smuggling pursuant to the laws enforced and 
administered by CBP.
    On December 5, 2003, CBP published in the Federal Register (68 FR 
68140) a final rule specifically intended to effectuate the provisions 
of the Act. In particular, a new Sec.  122.48a was added to the CBP 
Regulations (19 CFR 122.48a) to implement the Act's provisions relating 
to inbound air commerce. Section 122.48a(a) describes the general 
requirement that for inbound aircraft with commercial cargo aboard, CBP 
must electronically receive information concerning the incoming cargo 
in advance of its arrival. Section 122.48a(e)(1) set a general 
compliance date of March 4, 2004 for those air carriers required to 
participate, and other parties electing to participate, in advance 
automated cargo information filing. However, pursuant to Sec.  
122.48a(e)(2) CBP has set forth a revised implementation schedule in 
order to complete necessary modifications to the approved electronic 
data interchange system, train CBP personnel at affected ports and 
complete certification testing of new participants.
    The CBP-approved electronic data interchange system, through which 
the affected parties will be required to transmit and receive 
information pursuant to these regulatory provisions, is known as the 
Air Automated Manifest System (Air AMS). Although CBP and certain trade 
members presently participate in Air AMS on a voluntary basis, the 
final rule established procedures not currently supported by the 
existing system edits in Air AMS. Therefore, CBP has undertaken to 
modify certain critical aspects of Air AMS. CBP will introduce these 
changes by May 13, 2004, when a 90-day certification testing period 
begins for all parties who develop Air AMS communications.
    Accordingly, it is necessary for CBP to revise the compliance dates 
for the advance electronic transmission of air cargo information as 
specified in the following implementation schedule. Compliance dates 
are staggered because they will allow CBP to deploy training resources 
for its personnel on a regional basis and prevent CBP from having to 
conduct certification testing for all new participants at one time.

[[Page 10152]]



                     Air AMS Implementation Schedule
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               Date:                  Ports in the following locations:
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August 13, 2004...................  Connecticut, Delaware, District of
                                     Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine,
                                     Maryland, Massachusetts, New
                                     Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
                                     North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
                                     Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South
                                     Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West
                                     Virginia.
October 13, 2004..................  Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois,
                                     Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,
                                     Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota,
                                     Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska,
                                     New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South
                                     Dakota, Tennessee, Texas,
                                     Wisconsin.
December 13, 2004.................  Alaska, Arizona, California,
                                     Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana,
                                     Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah,
                                     Washington.
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    Beginning on the dates set forth in the implementation schedule 
above, CBP will require electronic transmission of advance information 
for any cargo that arrives in the United States by air at a port of 
entry within one of the locations specified.

Technical Requirements

    The technical specifications required for participation in Air AMS 
are detailed in the CBP publication Customs Automated Manifest 
Interface Requirements (CAMIR-AIR), currently available on the CBP 
website at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/operations_support/automated_systems/ams/camir_air/.
    Once the changes to Air AMS are introduced, CBP will update CAMIR-
AIR with the new technical specifications. Those seeking to develop 
software based on the new system edits may begin certification testing 
of such software after May 13, 2004. Existing Air AMS participants and 
potential Air AMS participants will have until the revised compliance 
date to complete changes to their software or procure software that is 
compliant with the new specifications.

    Dated: February 27, 2004.
Robert C. Bonner,
Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. 04-4725 Filed 3-3-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P