Background

CFR Title 19
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is an annual codification of the general and permanent rules of the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government.  CFR Title 19 pertains to customs duties, and it can allow your competitive position to be compromised. It says, in part:

“(a) Accredited representatives of the press, including newspapers, commercial magazines, trade journals, and similar publications shall be permitted to examine vessel manifests and summary statistical reports of imports and exports and to copy therefrom for publication information and data…”

“(d) Confidential treatment—(1) Inward manifest. An importer or consignee may request confidential treatment of its name and address contained in inward manifests, to include identifying marks and numbers. In addition, an importer or consignee may request confidential treatment of the name and address of the shipper or shippers to such importer or consignee…”
The following are the data elements from the AMS manifest which will be provided to the public.

  1. Carrier code.
  2. Vessel country code.
  3. Vessel name.
  4. Voyage number.
  5. District/port of unlading.
  6. Estimated arrival date.
  7. Bill of lading number.
  8. Foreign port of lading.
  9. Manifest quantity.
  10. Manifest units.
  11. Weight.
  12. Weight unit.
  13. Shipper name.1
  14. Shipper address.1
  15. Consignee name. 1
  16. Consignee address. 1
  17. Notify party name. 1
  18. Notify party address. 1
  19. Piece count.
  20. Description of goods.
  21. Container number.
  22. Seal number.

1 designates data element which will be deleted where confidentiality has been requested.