On Tuesday, May 19, 2020, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced in CSMS Message 42747527 the deployment of the new Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality online application effective Friday, May 22, 2020. The enhancement will enable ocean carriers, importers, exporters, and consignees to manage their own confidentiality requests electronically on the CBP.gov webpage.
Federal regulations (19 C.F.R. § 103.31) permit public access to information from vessel manifests and summary statistical reports of imports and exports.
The following manifest data elements are provided to the public upon request:
| Carrier Code | Manifest Quantity | Shipper Name |
| Vessel Country Code | Manifest Units | Shipper Address |
| Vessel Name | Weight | Consignee Name |
| Voyage Number | Weight Unit | Consignee Address |
| District/Port of Unlading | Piece Count | Notify Party Name |
| Estimated Arrival Date | Description of Goods | Notify Party Address |
| Bill of Lading Number | Container Number | |
| Foreign Port of Lading | Seal Number |
The data elements indicated in RED will be deleted from the publicly released manifest data if confidentiality has been requested.
We continue to encourage all our clients to submit manifest confidentiality applications which will secure your data for a period of two (2) years from the date the request is processed and covers all ports of entry. Renewal requests will need to be submitted at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the expiration but can be submitted in advance at any time.
It is critical to include your Employer Identification Number (EIN) and list the names exactly as they appear on the bills of lading, including all variations. We recommend that you advise overseas suppliers exactly how to spell your name(s) when consigning the goods to you. This will maximize the effectiveness of the Vessel Manifest Confidentiality Request which was submitted.
Technical questions related to the new Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality Request online application should be directed to vesselmanifestconfidentiality@cbps.dhs.gov.
For more information, please contact your local Noatum Logistics USA representative.