What is AFR (Advance Filing Rule)?

With the exception of Hong Kong, all ports in greater China, and all ports in Japan, require an Advance Filing.

This applies to all cargo being imported, as well as cargo transhipped via these countries.

24 hours prior to departure

The Advance Filing Rule requires carriers and NVOCC’s to electronically file details of all cargo on any vessel intended to sail for China or Japan, 24 hours prior to departure from the origin port, or Port of Loading (POL). If this deadline is not met, cargo can not be unloaded from this vessel without express permission from the Chinese or Japanse customs authorities.

Complete instructions

Major mandatory data elements required in the Shipping Instruction:

Voyage number

Vessel name

B/L number

POL, POD

Payment method for transport charges (prepaid or collect)

Total number of packages

Type of package

Total gross weight of cargo

Measurement of cargo

Contract and carriage conditions, for example, CY/CY

Name, Street and number or P.O. Box of Shipper, Consignee, and Notify Party

Contact person name, and contact number for dangerous cargo

Container number

Container size, type, supplier party, fullness (full/consol/empty)

Seal number

Number of packages per commodity item

Brief cargo description

Gross weight per commodity item

UN number for dangerous cargo

Marks and numbers

Amendments

With the implementation of this rule, the amendment procedures will also be affected as follows:

Any amendment to split or combine the d/o after vessel arrival will not be accepted anymore, the separated or combined b/l will need to be issued at port of loading.

Any amendment of number of packages, weight or cbm only possible after the approval from the customs officer.