U.S. Customs and Border Protection advises that mandatory electronic submission of ocean cargo manifests though the Automated Commercial Environment will be implemented at all U.S. Virgin Islands ports of entry (St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John) effective March 7. This requirement will apply to carriers, importing carriers, vessel agents, brokers, importers, freight forwarders, and other interested trade parties.
CBP notes that effective March 7 carriers must submit all ocean cargo manifests electronically via ACE for shipments destined to the U.S. Virgin Islands, including direct foreign shipments, in-bond shipments, and shipments originating from the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. Submission of cargo manifests through non-automated methods will no longer be permitted once mandatory implementation takes effect.
CBP will allow a limited transition period to accommodate carriers upgrading their systems. During this period, CBP will exercise enforcement discretion to facilitate compliance. After the transition period, failure to submit cargo manifests electronically via ACE may result in enforcement actions consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Trade Act of 2002.
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