New DHS rule would collect more info

The Homeland Security Department might demand additional information from importers and carriers that ship cargo to U.S. ports.

The Homeland Security Department is hammering out a final rule that will require importers and carriers that ship cargo to U.S. ports to file additional information electronically about shipments before they arrive in the United States.Under the so-called 10+2 rule, which was proposed in January, importers would be required to electronically file 10 additional elements that describe the cargo and carriers would have to submit two additional pieces of information about the containers and conveyances in which cargo is loaded on ships.The additional information that importers would have to file includes:Carriers will be responsible for a vessel stow plan and a container status report on the fullness of the containers.The new regulations would satisfy the requirements of Security and Accountability for Every Port Act of 2006, which are intended to improve officials’ ability to target high-risk shipments.