I think I may have upset the guy by assuming this is going to be more difficult at Brunswick than Savannah. I didn't tell him that my concern was because I have a good relationship with customs at Savannah just from being on the telephone. The guy at Brunswick was impossible to get a hold of and when I did, he didn't appear to have a sense of humour. That is the general consensus with customs and border protection in North America in general but I feel like I cracked one human at Savannah and I'm still keen on getting my paperwork done there. I'll have to have a conversation next week.
The most difficult thing I'm now dealing with is the ISF form, which in itself is not difficult. It is simply data that I already have. The difficulty is getting it to customs and border protection using the protocol they want. I cannot simply email it or even send it by carrier pigeon. It must go through an automated system online that I do not have the access to, let alone the authority. I was concerned that I might have to go through a broker on the other side who will charge me for the privilege.
After a little research, it turns out that I can use the automated system as in individual, but I have to apply to ACE (The system provider) online myself. Not a problem, only there is a 3 to 5 working day turnaround on the applications… That will take me to Friday, which is the day that I fly. I have now applied using their complicated PDF form (with the service representative on the phone at the same time) and I'm now going to be waiting eagerly for a response. In the meantime, come Monday afternoon, I will have to shop around for a broker has a plan B. Either way, the form must be submitted using the online system at the very least, 24 hours before the vessel departs.
This is the only thing that is now worrying me and it's the simplest part to do! I suppose the only other option would be to ship the car later, give myself more time to file this stupid form.
Anybody that is reading this because they are going through or thinking of going through this process, I will include links to everything you need either soon or at the end of the ordeal!
Confidence is a bit knocked but we're getting there…
The most difficult thing I'm now dealing with is the ISF form, which in itself is not difficult. It is simply data that I already have. The difficulty is getting it to customs and border protection using the protocol they want. I cannot simply email it or even send it by carrier pigeon. It must go through an automated system online that I do not have the access to, let alone the authority. I was concerned that I might have to go through a broker on the other side who will charge me for the privilege.
After a little research, it turns out that I can use the automated system as in individual, but I have to apply to ACE (The system provider) online myself. Not a problem, only there is a 3 to 5 working day turnaround on the applications… That will take me to Friday, which is the day that I fly. I have now applied using their complicated PDF form (with the service representative on the phone at the same time) and I'm now going to be waiting eagerly for a response. In the meantime, come Monday afternoon, I will have to shop around for a broker has a plan B. Either way, the form must be submitted using the online system at the very least, 24 hours before the vessel departs.
This is the only thing that is now worrying me and it's the simplest part to do! I suppose the only other option would be to ship the car later, give myself more time to file this stupid form.
Anybody that is reading this because they are going through or thinking of going through this process, I will include links to everything you need either soon or at the end of the ordeal!
Confidence is a bit knocked but we're getting there…
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