UNITED STATES CBP ENFORCING PRECISE GOODS DESCRIPTIONS
Dave Loggie
started a topic
8 months ago
SoluShip
To help avoid shipment delays, use precise descriptions when shipping your goods.
What’s Changing?
The United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has introduced enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), targeting inbound packages with ambiguous, unclear, or missing descriptions. The ACAS program mandates the submission of advanced air cargo information for shipments arriving in or transiting through the U.S. from international locations. This means that any inbound shipments to the U.S. with vague descriptions of goods may be rejected by CBP for ACAS screening. If CBP rejects a cargo description, your chosen Air Carrier may decline the shipment at origin or hold the shipment at origin until updated information is filed.
It is essential to provide an accurate goods description on the Commercial Invoice, Courier air waybill, and shipping label. Descriptions such as ‘parts,’ ‘accessories,’ or ‘personal use’ do not offer the required clarity for customs brokers to submit a customs entry or for CBP to review. Strong descriptions should accurately describe what the goods are made of and their intended use.
Examples include:
Children’s toys made of plastic
Women’s dresses made of 60% cotton and 40% polyester
CBP has issued a list of vague descriptions that are not acceptable, and this list will evolve over time.
Review CBP's Guidelines on Acceptable Descriptions:
The descriptions that CBP expects from importers are incredibly important. Any mistakes in documentation, reporting, or type of goods can result in delays, fines, and even seizures of the shipment.
We strongly recommend that you submit your customs documentation electronically via SoluShip’s Electronic Trade Documents to help reduce customs delays.
Learn How to Submit Customs Documents Electronically:
Dave Loggie
SoluShip
To help avoid shipment delays, use precise descriptions when shipping your goods.
What’s Changing?
The United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has introduced enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), targeting inbound packages with ambiguous, unclear, or missing descriptions. The ACAS program mandates the submission of advanced air cargo information for shipments arriving in or transiting through the U.S. from international locations. This means that any inbound shipments to the U.S. with vague descriptions of goods may be rejected by CBP for ACAS screening. If CBP rejects a cargo description, your chosen Air Carrier may decline the shipment at origin or hold the shipment at origin until updated information is filed.
Learn More About ACAS Requirements:
What Do I Need to Do?
It is essential to provide an accurate goods description on the Commercial Invoice, Courier air waybill, and shipping label. Descriptions such as ‘parts,’ ‘accessories,’ or ‘personal use’ do not offer the required clarity for customs brokers to submit a customs entry or for CBP to review. Strong descriptions should accurately describe what the goods are made of and their intended use.
Examples include:
CBP has issued a list of vague descriptions that are not acceptable, and this list will evolve over time.
Review CBP's Guidelines on Acceptable Descriptions:
Reminder:
The descriptions that CBP expects from importers are incredibly important. Any mistakes in documentation, reporting, or type of goods can result in delays, fines, and even seizures of the shipment.
We strongly recommend that you submit your customs documentation electronically via SoluShip’s Electronic Trade Documents to help reduce customs delays.
Learn How to Submit Customs Documents Electronically: