Project Description

Manifest Confidentiality:

How to Protect US Import Data

Did you know that your import data is public?

Unless you proactively take measures to safeguard sensitive vessel manifest information detailing your supply chain decisions, it will continue to be accessible to the public. This means that competitors can find out who your suppliers are and other import-related details.

This guide will outline what is electronic vessel manifest confidentiality, and what methods importers, consignees, and shippers can choose from to request confidentiality, and much more below.

How to Protect US Trade Data

What is Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality?

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has established the Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality Program to restrict public access to import information by not permitting direct examination of vessel manifests. Nevertheless, the general public retains the ability to request particular information through Customs. Within this framework, importers, consignees, and shippers are provided with the opportunity to request confidential treatment for their names and addresses on these manifests, as well as to appeal to CBP for safeguarding specific data elements. This program covers 22 distinct data elements found on the manifests, including consignee, notify, and shipper party details. The initiative’s primary objective is to offer the choice of confidentiality, preventing competitors from linking your manifest data with your corporate identity.

Who Can Make a Manifest Confidentiality Request? What are the Different Types of Manifests?

Importer or Consignee

As an importer or consignee you may request confidential treatment of your name and address, including identifying marks and numbers on inward manifests. For more details how confidentiality applies to inward manifests, review the 19 CFR §103.31 (d)(1) on the Code of Federal Regulations.

Shipper

As a shipper, authorized employee, or official of the shipper, you may request confidential treatment of the shipper’s name and address on outward manifests. For more details about how confidentiality applies to outward manifests, review the 19 CFR §103.31 (d)(2) on the Federal Register.

How Long Does Manifest Confidentiality Last?

The confidentiality of the vessel manifest will remain active for a duration of two years, starting from the date of processing the request. This confidentiality extends to all points of entry into the United States. To prevent any interruptions in the coverage of confidentiality, it is advisable to submit a renewal request approximately two to three months before the existing approval expires.

How to Protect Your US Import Data – 3 Methods

Use the Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality Online Application, a user-friendly 4-step tool that simplifies the process. This is the most efficient method for submitting and managing your confidentiality request.

Submit a written request to the provided address:

Vessel Manifest Confidentiality
22001 Loudoun County Pkwy,
Mail Stop #1354
Ashburn, VA 20598-1354

There is no prescribed format for requesting confidentiality via mail/email. Once received, CBP will send an acknowledgement letter (via the method in which the request was received) to the requestor confirming that confidentiality has been granted (or renewed) and confirming the date the confidentiality becomes effective. For these submissions, please be sure to include the U.S. mailing address and U.S. EIN.

Submit your request through email to: vesselmanifestconfidentiality@cbp.dhs.gov

For confidentiality to be effective, the name provided must exactly match the importer/consignee name as it is entered electronically in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by the trade or their carrier/filing party. The validity extends for two years from the request processing date and covers all ports of entry. Remember to renew the request 60-90 days before expiration.

No fee is associated with the confidentiality request. There is no prescribed format for requesting confidentiality via mail/email. Once received, CBP will send an acknowledgement letter (via the method in which the request was received) to the requestor confirming that confidentiality has been granted (or renewed) and confirming the date the confidentiality becomes effective. For these submissions, please be sure to include the U.S. mailing address and U.S. EIN.

Import into the US with Confidentiality

By safeguarding your US trade data, you’re ensuring the protection of sensitive business information. We can assist with this application and ensure that you file your business request with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) correctly and accurately.

Schedule a meeting with our team to discuss how we can help you!

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