The purpose of this document is to outline the frequently asked questions about SEA-AMS. Please forward comments and suggestions to:  Kevin.Gavin@tracking.com

 Amendments

 

  1. What can be amended on a manifest after it has been sent to US Customs?

 

A.    You can make changes through an edit as long as the change does not affect the vessel, voyage or port.  For changes to these fields you must delete the manifest (you will receive a prompt to create a new manifest with the existing data) and re-send to US Customs. 

 

Q:  A mistake on my manifest was accepted by customs. I re-entered the manifest and sent it but it was rejected because the BOL was already on file? What does that mean?

 

A.  If the problem with the manifest can be corrected with an amendment then it is best to fix the error that way. If the problem is with the Vessel or other base information of the manifest then the original manifest will need to be deleted prior to sending the newly redone manifest or the BOL error occurs.  The BOL error means that a manifest with that BOL code has already been accepted by Customs,  when you delete a manifest from the WebAMS system, the request for delete is sent to customs and the manifest is removed from their records.  Until the manifest is removed from Customs’ database no other manifests with the same BOL number can be sent and accepted by Customs.

 

Arrivals

 

       Q:   How do I arrive a vessel?

 

A:   In the Arrivals section of the application there is a Vessels button. Click that button and the name of the vessel you wish to arrive, you will then go to a screen where you input the date the vessel arrived and click save.  Your vessel has now been arrived.

 

Containers

 

Q:  A container on my Manifest did not get loaded at the port.  What do I do?

 

A:  There are two scenarios in this instance: there are additional containers on the manifest or the container is the only one on the manifest.  Below are the instructions for each scenario.

 

If the Manifest contains additional containers (other than the one not loaded):

1)       Go into the Manifest and delete that particular container

2)       Resend the Manifest to US Customs

 

If the Manifest only contains the container that was not loaded:

1)       Go in and delete the Manifest and make sure you click the box to create a new Manifest from the existing

2)       Put the new container information in

3)       Send the manifest to US Customs

 

Costs

 

  1. What is the cost of utilizing the Sectra LLC Web AMS service?

 

  1. WebAMS pricing is based upon volume of transactions per month. More details can be provided by contacting Kevin Gavin at Kevin.Gavin@Tracking.com.

 

InBond

 

Q.    What do I need to be able to perform In Bond movements on my cargo?

 

A.    To perform an In Bond movement you must have a Type 2 Conveyance Bond, The IRS Number that you used to file for the Bond, US Customs approval and know your V Number.

 

  1. When do I file my In Bond movement on a manifest?

 

  1. You should file your In Bond movement no more then 5 days before the vessel is set to arrive.

 

Q:  What InBond Carrier Code (SCAC) is used for an InBond?

 

A:   The code of the carrier who is responsible for that portion of the transaction is the code you should use.

 

Q:  What do I do if I don’t know the Inbond value?

 

A:   If you do not know the value, the value is equal to $20 multiplied by the weight in kilos.

 

Q:  What information makes up the Inbond Carrier Code?

 

A:   The Inbond Carrier Code is usually the SCAC code of the software owner.

 

Q:  What information makes up the Inbond Carrier IRS #?

 

A:   The InBond Carrier IRS # is usually the IRS Number filed when applying for the Type 2 Bond.

 

Q:  I have a shipment going from the Japan to LA and then on to NY.  On the manifest screen, which US city should I put in the Port of Unloading?

 

A:  LA should be the Port of Unloading.  This field is for the 1st US port where the container are unloaded.

 

Q:  I have an InBond shipment going to Chicago.  Some of the cargo will remain on board and go to   Detroit.  Do I need to file two ITs?

 

A:   No, simply do one IT manifest.  On the house bills enter the individual final destination cities.

 

Lloyds

 

  1. The Lloyds number I got from my carrier and the one in your database do not match?

 

  1. Our database has been created from various available sources and from time to time is incorrect, the code given to you by the carrier is assumed correct; please contact Cnabinger@securetracking.com with the information so it can be added/corrected in our table for your convenience.

 

Manifests

 

Q.    How long after I send my manifest will I receive an answer from US Customs?

 

A.    Typically US Customs replies in 1-2 hours. However, on occasion Customs has taken up to four hours to reply.

 

Q:  When are Manifests removed from the system?

 

A:   When Sectra receives an archive status from US customs we will remove the Manifest from the web system.  This transaction will remain permanently in our backup system

 

Q:  Should Manifest details include the transport from the feeder vessel to the final US destination?

 

A:  No, the Manifest should include the transport from the Mother vessel to the final US destination.

 


 

Q:  How do I enter the secondary notify party?

 

A:   The Web AMS system automatically lists the carrier as notify party.  The carrier SCAC code entered at the vessel Lloyds code level is the second notify party.

 

Q: Is “To Order of Shipper” allowed on the Consignee field?

A:  YES the answer to the issue below on the US Goverment web site 24 hr rule FAQs update, its question #32.It allows consignee TO ORDER OF SHIPPER or NON-US BANK provided you have full details of US Buyer in first Notify filed.

 

 

Other

 

  1. I have chosen to have Sectra LLC as my AMS provider but my overseas associates have chosen another AMS provider, are there any problems that can arise from that?

 

  1. The Customs AMS system will accept AMS-Manifests from any number of providers as long as manifests are not filed in duplicity.  Sectra LLC invites you to show your associates our WebAMS client software and show them the ease of our Graphic Interface for their AMS needs.

 

Q:  I have a shipment going from the Far East to Canada then to the United States; do I need to file with AMS?

 

A:   No.  US Customs does not currently require movements by truck or rail to be filed with Web AMS.

 

Process

 

  1. I have selected Sectra LLC as my AMS provider and have entered the testing phase. Now what do I do?

 

  1. We have produced a thorough and easily understood instruction document located at http://www.securetracking.com/Training.htm  the file size is 25 MB in .zip format. If you need an unzipping program an evaluation version of WinZip can be downloaded from http://www.winzip.com/ddchomea.htm.

 

Rejections/Errors

 

Q.   My manifest was rejected, how do I find out why?

 

A.    In the AMS section of the application, click the number of the rejected manifest. There is a button at the top that reads Customs Message.  Click that button to read the reasons behind the rejection. There will also be links to the errors where you can go in and change the mistakes. Once the errors have been corrected you can re-send the manifest to US Customs.

 

Q.    My manifest was rejected because of an Incorrect Conv Code error and a No bills Process for Port error, Why?

 

A.   The Incorrect Conv Code error means there is a problem with the vessel name or vessel Lloyds Code.  US Customs internally maintains a list of Vessel and Lloyds codes for every vessel. This list is not public and US Customs will not disclose the list to anyone. Sectra LLC maintains a list within the Application to assist you in finding vessels and Lloyds Codes. The carrier should provide you with this information for every vessel you will be using. You can also forward the updated Information to Updates@securetracking.com to be amended in our database for future use. The No Bills Processed For Port is a secondary error message meaning that because of the previous error the manifest has not been processed. Reparations of the preceding errors will correct it.

 


 

Q.    I put my carrier SCAC code in for the secondary notify party and I got an error message. The vessel should be the secondary notify party, why do I get an error?

 

A.    Sectra LLC automatically sets the carrier SCAC as the secondary notify party by default so adding the carrier SCAC in as the secondary notify party is unnecessary.  You also cannot put the BOL SCAC in as the secondary notify party as that too will be rejected.

 

Support

 

Q.    I think I’ve made a mistake or I need assistance with a manifest. How can I contact Sectra LLC?

 

A.    You can Contact Sectra LLC Support at 1-978-834-7803 Be advised that there may be a charge for support calls not related to application errors and/or database mistakes. Alternately you can download the manual at http://www.securetracking.com/Training.htm to assist you in solving your basic, use of the AMS, application problems.

 

Template

 

Q:  What should I use as the Manifest template name?

 

A:   You may name the template anything that will help you to identify it in the future.  We advise using some type of combination of the consignee and supplier name.

 

Vessel

 

  1. My vessel is not in your database, why?

 

  1. We here at Sectra LLC try to get as complete a list of vessels and Lloyds codes as possible. Customs has the master list but cannot release it to us.  If your vessel is not on the list, Contact us with the name and Lloyds number at Updates@Securetracking.com and we will gladly add it to our database.

 

  1. I sent a manifest with the wrong vessel name and it was accepted by customs how can I change the Vessel name on an amendment?

 

  1. Unfortunately due to the nature of US Customs, the ability to amend a manifest with a new vessel is not available.  The only way to change the vessel name or information on an accepted manifest is to delete the manifest create a new manifest based on the previous one.

 

Website/Web Browser

 

  1. Is the WebAMS software compatible with all ISP’s and Web Browsers?

 

  1. WebAMS is compatible with all ISP’s from dial-up internet access to broadband internet such as cable or DSL. However, the WebAMS system itself is only compatible with Internet explorer 5 or higher.  Microsoft Internet Explorer can be downloaded from the following URL http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp

 

  1. I lost the URL that I use to add and edit manifests, where can I find it again?

 

  1. The URL will be either http://www.securetracking.com/webams/login.asp?cc=xxxx if you are a WebAMS customer or http://www.securetracking.com/manifest24/login.asp?cc=xxxx if you are a Manifest 24 Customer.

Where the xxxx is should be your SCAC code

Sectra LLC recommends that you save the page to your favorites to assist you in accessing your AMS system.

 

  1. I’m having a problem with the Website. It’s loading slowly or timing out, what should I do?

 

  1. If the site appears to be loading slowly we have an alternate address, simply replace the www in your URL to ww2 and load the site.  If the site continues to be slow on the secondary address then the network traffic in your area may be increasing and causing the slowdown.

Contact Information:

Tel. 978-834-7803 E-mail Kevin.Gavin@Tracking.com  SECTRA, LLC. 26 Millyard, Unit 7, Amesbury, MA. 01913