USA Imports Regulations

On 26 January the new customs regulations came fully into force for the United States of America.  Shippers and carriers exporting cargo by seafreight  to the USA must electronically file file certain information required by US Customs and Border control 24 hours before the goods are loaded on the ship.  This alerts the US authorities to cargos which may potentially cause a risk, and which they may decide to inspect on arrival.  The entry is called an Importer Security Filing, and is specifically designed to help overcome the threat of terrorism.