ELLEVUE, Wash. — Trade Tech, a global supplier of cloud-based solutions for the logistics industry, is taking the lead in promoting compliance with Japan’s Advance Filing Rules by co-hosting a series of seminars on the new requirements with Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System (NACCS), the Japanese government entity responsible for import/export and Customs clearance.
The seminars are designed to help NVOs, forwarders and BCOs (beneficial cargo owners) prepare for the new rule, set to take effect in March 2014, which will require them to electronically submit detailed information on maritime container cargoes at least 24 hours before departure of the vessel from a port of loading. The first seminar was held in Shanghai last week, with others to follow in the Chinese cities of Ningbo, Jin Jiang and Hong Kong as well as in Taiwan and India. Webinars covering the same material will be available to the shipping community in Europe and North America.
Trade Tech is the first US-based provider to have its Automated Manifest System (AMS) electronic filing solution authorized by NACCS. This solution, known as Syrinx, uses Web 2.0 technology and already meets 24-hour advance filing rules in North America and the European Union.
“Japan’s 24-hour filing rule will be absolutely mandatory on March 1, 2014, and if shippers are not compliant and the filing is rejected, the penalty is $5000 or a year in jail with hard labor,” says Trade Tech president Bryn Heimbeck. Trade Tech is hosting these seminars to inform the shipping public on what they need to do to be prepared, he says. “Our goal is to help NVOs, forwarders and BCOs avoid any and all penalties and to make it easy for them to meet their filing requirements.”
The Syrinx solution uses HTML 5 programming to create a browser-based interface, which makes it easier and faster for users to manage their cargo security filing business, third-party documentation, with same-day turnaround and accuracy rate unparalleled in the industry, Heimbeck says. “Our customers also enjoy the fact that we can do their data entry and provide a full service solution for all of their Cargo security filing requirements so they keep their supply chain moving smoothly.”
Heimbeck says that many companies don’t understand that they must have a server in Japan to conduct the filings with NACCS. “We are delighted that our customers will be able to continue to count on Trade Tech’s solutions for security compliance as Japan joins the US, Canada, Mexico, and the European Union in requiring 24-hour advanced manifest information,” he says. Heimbeck notes that Trade Tech’s AMS-related services and solutions also offer other key benefits, including direct Web-based input, full-service data connections and EDI and service data.
“We see the Japan 24-Hour Rule and the standardized information required for similar rules in the U.S., Asia and EU as a positive for everyone involved with international commerce as it will ultimately speed up the flow of goods,” Heimbeck adds.
During a signing ceremony in January at NACCS’ headquarters in Kawasaki, Japan, Mr. Takuo Yoshimoto, deputy director, planning and research department, said: “I am very pleased to share that NACCS Center and Trade Tech signed the service provider agreement on Advance Filing Rules at our headquarters today. Trade Tech, the first authorized service provider in the US, has considerable experience and achievements as a service provider for advance filing rules of foreign Customs administrations such as the U.S. AMS filing. Partnering with Trade Tech is encouraging news to ensure smooth operations of Japan’s Advance Filing Rules. With an eye toward the formal launch of the rules in March next year, we are going to spend time cooperating closely to build the system and be ready by then.”