Meet the requirement of Advance Electronic Presentation of Cargo Information - Air from US Customs and Border Protection

1. Meet the requirement of Advance Electronic Presentation of Cargo Information - Airfrom US Customs and Border Protection CLG June 2004

2. Required from airline • Submit the accurate and complete MAWB data stated in the rule to AAMS at 4 hours prior the arrival at the first US port. • Submit the accurate and complete HAWB data stated in the rule to AAMS at 4 hours prior the arrival at the first US port unless another party specified in the rule elects to present the information direct to CBP • Conduct reasonable verification of cargo information prior submission to AAMS, including HAWB data

3. Required from cargo agents To meet the requirement, the cargo agent, at the agreed cut off time, • Submit to the airline, electronically, the required HAWB data stated in the rule • Submit to the airline, in paper form, the HAWB summary providing the required HAWB data stated in the rule for the purpose of verification and fall back • Submit to the airline, in paper form, the loading information by unit at HAWB level for shipment built by the cargo agent for the purpose of split shipment handling

4. HAWB summary and loading summary • House manifest, if it provides all the required information, can serve the purpose of the above mentioned HAWB summary and loading information • In HKG, cargo agent is currently providing the required information in their house manifest. It is delivered to the airline at the agreed cut off time together with the MAWB

5. Data accuracy is the primary concern • Airline is held liable for the data submitted although the HAWB data is provided by the cargo agent • At this time, there is no better way to guarantee the data accuracy except that airline has to verify the data prior submission • Today, there is no “final version” of FWB and FHL. Therefore airline can only assume the hard copy of house manifest is the final version of HAWB data submitted.

6. Verification conducted by airline • Match the hard copy against the electronic copy • Adopt a common sense approach based on the guidelines provided by CBP including those examples of acceptable and unacceptable goods description. It is noted that • Shipper/Consignee address has to be detail enough to enable one to contact the shipper or consignee listed • Goods description can adequately identify the contents of the goods • Confirm the required MAWB and HAWB data are ready in the electronic file. • Confirm the accuracy and completeness of required MAWB and HAWB data in the electronic file.

7. In case of discrepancy • Lack of electronic copy • Based on the hard copy provided by the cargo agent, make the entry on behalf of the cargo agent,at a fee • Electronic copy not match the hard copy • Based on the hard copy provided by the cargo agent, make the correction on behalf of the cargo agent, at a fee • Incomplete data • Call the cargo agent to verify, cargo agent confirm by writing, make the correction, as required, on behalf of the cargo agent, at a fee.

8. Two technical issues had been identified • Insufficient field length of goods description in FHL • Use the TXT field to accommodate the same field length of AAMS, that is, 35 characters • HAWB identifier exceeds the field length of AAMS, that is, 12 characters • It was noted that FIATA recommended both the HAWB layout and the Conditions of Contract on the reverse side of the HAWB must be according to IATA Resolution 600a and 600b(II) respectively. For HAWB layout, FIATA elaborated that the HAWB identifier must have a maximum of 12 digits the same as the Master AWB of airlines.

9. HKG situation • Airline (through Carrier Liaison Group) has actively worked with cargo agent (through HAFFA) to develop the industry best practice in HKG • It is ready to meet the stated implementation schedule; • EC 13 AUG 2004 • Central 13 OCT 2004 • WC 13 DEC 2004 • In progress: Possible charge to cover the additional cost.