Protect your Manifest Information
How to avoid your competitors from learning about your international business. Avoid sales calls too!
Did you know that your ocean bill of lading manifest information is available for public review? There are companies that actually data mine this information daily and provide it to your competitors, customers, logistics firms, and anyone else that is willing to pay for it. Did you know you can protect this data? At Scarbrough, we value your confidentiality and are pleased to introduce you to the “Manifest Confidentiality Request” mechanism to have this information removed from public record. According to privacy statue, 19 CFR 103.31, an importer or consignee may request confidential treatment of its name and address contained in inward manifest, and of the shipper and shipper’s name and address. The rules may be accessed here.
What else you need to know
The primary purpose of the Manifest Confidentiality Request is to keep your sensitive manifest information including identifying marks and numbers confidential or from being disclosed to the public for a period of two years at a time.
According to Customs Regulations, “The Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552), provides for access to information and records developed or maintained by Federal Agencies.” U.S. Customs and Border Protection is required to make available the following AMS manifest data elements to the public. However, U.S. companies have the right to request that their private company information is indeed kept private.