USA INBOUND ECOMMERCE
RAPID, EFFICIENT, COMPLIANT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE AND FULL, END-TO-END, PARCEL LEVEL STATUS TRACKING
WITH A USEFUL GUIDE TO TYPE86 E-COMMERCE CLEARANCE
MULTIPLE USA GATEWAYS
OVER 150 FLIGHTS PER DAY
Alice enables Section 321 Express and Type86 eCommerce clearance into the USA.
Supporting rapid, compliant declarations in partnership with US customs brokers
Achieving 99.8% next-day inbound, first-time clearance
This enables rapid release from the freight station to the handling warehouse
Facilitating fast injection into multiple last mile options
FLEXIBLE JOURNEY TRACKING
EVERY PARCEL MONITORED END TO END
Completely flexible and agile journey configuration engine
Clear transit milestones at every location arrival and departure point
Milestones can be configured to meet customer requirements
Milestone and status shared via API or web front end
Everyone sees the same data at the same time
USA SECTION 321 ECOMMERCE CLEARANCE
RAPID, ELECTRONIC CLEARANCE OF CONSUMER GOODS
Section 321 clearance is specifically designed for low value (less than $800), consumer goods shipments to individual recipients. Type 86 electronic clearance is possible for compliant manifests and next day clearance can be reliably achieved. We have significant experience supporting Type86 and all Section 321 clearances into the USA achieving 99.8% next day clearance. This enables rapid injection into any appropriate (standard or express) last mile provider. See the section below on HTS codes for guidance as to what can be reliably sent by this cost effective and reliable method.
SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT PROCESS
Alice IOT can accept parcel data simply via .csv or directly via API. The Alice Type 86 customs application can support brokers in checking and applying HTS codes if required and is able to screen pre-manifest shipments for prohibited items. Alice produces screened, compliant manifests and submits data to brokers for scrutiny so they can submit rapidly to US Customs.
The platform is able to feed back parcel level clearance status in real time. This helps brokers and handling agents to manage customs holds efficiently.
US HTS CODES AND TYPE 86 CLEARANCE
LEARN WHAT CAN AND CANNOT BE SENT ‘TYPE 86’
US HTS Codes follow the standard international structure and the diagram below shows what the digits in the code represent.
A GUIDE TO HTS SECTIONS AND CHAPTERS
HTS CODES DIVIDE INTO SECTIONS BASED BROADLY ON COMMODITIES
THESE SECTIONS DIVIDE INTO CHAPTERS.
US CUSTOMS BROKER MUST ALLOCATE THE CORRECT CODE FOR EACH ITEM BY LAW
Allocating HTS codes for items being imported into the USA is ‘Customs Business’ in law and MUST be carried out by a US customs broker.
The above example shows how the full, 10-Digit HTS code is allocated to a toy drum. This is a nice, simple example. In most cases, due to the historic commodity basis of HTS code classification it is significantly more difficult to allocate the correct code. This is why US law prohibits anyone or any system other than a US customs broker to submit the correct code to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
WHAT CAN BE SENT ‘TYPE 86’ ?
Under Section 321, low value, non-contentious, eCommerce products with a value of less than $800 to one consignee on a single day can be sent using Type 86 clearance. Type 86 may NOT be used for PGA, ODA and FDA commodities. Alcohol, tobacco, food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devises can not generally be cleared via this route. Items requiring inspection and/or subject to anti-dumping or countervailing rules are also prohibited. In this section we give a useful high-level guide to what can and can’t se sent Type 86. This is a rough guide only. Remember EVERY item MUST be ratified by a US customs broker under the US CBP ‘Customs Business’ rules.
A QUICK VISUAL VISUAL GUIDE TO WHAT CAN AND CAN’T BE SENT TYPE 86
A MORE DETAILED GUIDE TO TYPE 86 COMPATIBLE COMMODITIES
ALICE IOT INTELLIGENT NODES
An Alice integrated handling node is the ultimate way to optimise parcel processing efficiency. This allows the handling node to separate our different parcels based on their clearance requirements. Also to optimise routing based on parcel weight, dimensions, destination zip code and any other aspect that is important to optimising transit and/or cost.
To get your traffic quickly and efficiently to the USA it is worth checking that your provider is fully compliant with US CBP regulations and that you do not, unwittingly, fall foul of the US ‘Customs Business’ regulations. Ideally your provider will be operating and Alice IOT integrated node in their handling facility. If they are you can be very confident that you are receiving the best possible service for your US destined eCommerce parcels.