U.S. Customs rules for car exports

There has been an increase in the number of title and document rejections by Customs at the US ports of discharge. In an effort to assist our customers in avoiding rejections, delays and rework and expedite clearance of your cargo, we would like to offer the following review of reasons by Port of Load.
Each of the items listed below represent a common reason for USCBP to reject the paperwork; your steadfast attention concerning these items will reduce the frequency of Customs rejections and result in your cargo loading in a more efficient and timely manner.

COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTIONS IN NEW YORK

INSUFFICIENT COPIES Customs requires 8 copies of documentation and Titles or certificates of ownership. The front and back of the document Title documents must be copies on all 8 sets. Terminal personnel and US Customs will not make copies.
PHYSICAL ADDRESS OF SHIPPER AND CONSIGNEE. Shippers and Consignee fields must contain a physical address. P.O. boxes are not authorized; additionally use “BP” addresses for overseas with caution, as they may result in rejections by USCBP.
MISSING PROOF OF PAYMENT. Cargo clearing on a Certificate of Origin and cargo 2010-2012 state titled must have a Bill of Sale; which must include: Name of Dealership, Year of Vehicle, Make of Vehicle, Model of Vehicle and VIN. The documents must also state that the vehicle is paid full or indicate a zero balance, it must be an original and it is recommended that it be notarized.
VESSEL/VOYAGE. Vessel/Voyage fields on the D/R must show a vessel name and voyage; TBA is not authorized. Paperwork must be delivered to Customs 72 hours prior to the arrival of the vessel indicated on the D/R.
ILLEGIBLE D/R Submitted D/R must be legible. If you send the D/R to the trucker by fax, we recommend that you confirm that their received copy is legible and complete. Many faxed copies of D/Rs are rejected because the fax has cut off or distorted part of the information off or the quality of the fax is poor.
AES. All cargo must have AES filing and ITN; the NOEEI 30.37(a) statement is no longer accepted by USCBP.
LIEN RELEASE. NY Customs requires the lien release to be stamped or provided on letterhead. It is recommended that a lien release be provided on letterhead. Failure to submit lien release may result in a rejection of the documentation.

COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTIONS IN BALTIMORE

LIEN RELEASE. Delivery of documentation without proper lien release may result in a rejection by USCBP.
MISSING PROOF OF PAYMENT. Cargo clearing on a Certificate of Origin must have a Bill of Sale which includes: Name of Dealership, Year of Vehicle, Make of Vehicle, Model of Vehicle and VIN. It must also state that the vehicle is paid full or indicate a zero balance. The BOS must be an original and recommend that it be notarized.

COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTIONS IN JACKSONVILLE

OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS NOT THE SHIPPER OR CONSIGNEE. The owner on the title must be the declared shipper or the consignee on the Dock Receipt. If the information is not consistent USCBP will reject the documents.
TITLES WHICH ARE NOT REASSIGNED. Many titles are delivered indicating that the unit has been sold but the purchaser is not filled out on the paperwork, the title must be reassigned.
POWER OF ATTORNEY REQUIRED. If the owner on the title is the consignee a power of attorney (POA) is required from the consignee to the shipper giving them permission to ship the cargo. POA must consist of the original and notarized, submission of only a notarized copy will result in a rejection.
MISSING FORWARDING AGENT. All D/Rs for JAX must have a forwarding agent.
ILLEGIBLE D/R Submitted D/R must be legible. If you send the D/R to the trucker by fax, we recommend that you confirm that their received copy is legible and complete. Many faxed copies of D/Rs are rejected because the fax has cut off or distorted part of the information off or the quality of the fax is poor.

COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTIONS IN SAVANNAH

INVALID AES. A common cause for rejection is use of the port code on the AES filing; the correct code 1703.
POWER OF ATTORNEY REQUIRED. If the owner on the title is not in AES filing a power of attorney (POA) is required from the owner to the shipper giving them permission to ship the cargo. POA must consist of the original and notarized, submission of only a notarized copy will result in a rejection.
INCOMPLETE COPIES. Savannah requires four complete copies, including the front and back of the documents and LOI. USCBP will not make copies they will reject the submission.
For all ports of export please refrain from using color copies of Titles and other official documents.
When you receive the rejection package be sure to send the complete package back to the address indicated on the coversheet. Send rejects for New York, Baltimore and Jacksonville to the port address provided. The only rejection paperwork that should be returned to booked carrier is for Savannah.
If the terminal receive a lien release but not the paperwork (a common practice) this will cause unnecessary delays and the potential for paperwork to get lost or misplaced. Returning rejections to the wrong address will delay the clearance.
If you have any questions for concerns please contact us.