Thompson & Co. of Tampa, Inc
THE THOMPSON GROUP
The Thompson Group
“Import Shipping Requirements”

TTG requires its foreign shippers to provide all documentation required for entry
into the U.S. to the foreign freight consolidator, carrier, issuing bank or directly to
TTG prior to exportation as specified under other associated agreements, such as
an approved purchase order. Because of requirements and regulations for various
U.S. government agencies, the types of documentation may vary and may include
additional declarations or statements that are not contained in the following list.
The foreign shipper is to contact the Import Compliance Manager at TTG if it has
any questions regarding the type of documentation required for entry into the U.S.
In general, the following documentation is required:
o Commerical Invoice
o Packing List
o Express Release Bill of Lading
o Other U.S. government agency documentation and declarations, such as
the Federal Communications Commission, Food and Drug Administration,
Fish and Wildlife, Department of Transportation, and Environmental
Protection Agency.
 With the enactment of U.S. Treasury Directive 02-62 on December 2, 2002, it is a
requirement for shippers to provide complete and accurate product descriptions
and/or tariff information to the six-digit level to the entities providing the cargo
manifest to CBP 24 hours prior to the cargo being laden on board. If accurate
descriptions are not provided, the cargo can be denied loading onto the shipping
vessel. This regulation applies to all ocean cargo destined for the United States,
whether the cargo is to remain in the United States or be transported in-bond to
another country. These regulations have been implemented as well for air and
truck cargo as of December 2003. In addition, under Title 19 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (19 CFR §141.86) commercial invoices are required to
provide the following information in English:
1. Port of entry for which the merchandise is destined and date;
2. Invoice number;
3. Invoice date;
4. Terms of sale/payment, i.e., Net 30, Draft/At Sight, Receipt of Freight, etc.;
5. Trade terms, i.e., FOB, CIF, EX-FACTORY, etc.;
6. Net and gross weight for merchandise;
7. Detailed, accurate description of merchandise, including a part or model
number/style number, carton marks and numbers;
8. Quantity of merchandise;
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Thompson & Co. of Tampa, Inc
THE THOMPSON GROUP
9. Shipping unit of measurements;
10. Unit price in the currency of the purchase;
11. Type of currency;
12. Country of origin of the merchandise; and
13. Name and address of the foreign party responsible for invoicing, and the actual
manufacturer’s complete name and address (if the party varies from the foreign
invoicing party).
 TTG requires its foreign shippers to affix a high security seal to ocean containers
destined to the U.S. that meets or exceeds the current PAS ISO 17712 Standards.
 TTG requires its foreign shippers to conduct an inspection of ocean containers
prior to stuffing to detect any potential or existing breaches in security or
container integrity issues. Specifically, the shippers are to inspect ocean
containers for false walls, plates, hidden compartments, unusual repairs, hatches,
“step-ups,” unusual interior paint or welding work, false boxes, unusual glued or
welded seams on the interior or exterior, defective door locking devices, stripped
exterior door bolts, wood or other unusual flooring material, and other similar
security concerns. If a security breach is detected, the foreign shipper is to
immediately notify the Purchasing Manager at TTG and the steamship line, seize
and secure the container for inspection by law enforcement authorities, and obtain
a replacement container from the steamship line. TTG recommends that its
foreign shippers inspect containers through an eight-point inspection process,
including: front wall, left side, right side, floor, ceiling/roof, inside/outside doors,
outside/undercarriage, and door locking mechanisms.
 TTG requires its foreign shippers to securely control and maintain seals. Seals are
to be maintained in a safe and secure environment, such as a locked file cabinet or
safe. Seals are to be dispensed by a designated employee responsible for the
disbursement and safekeeping of the seals, never a non-employee, such as a
trucker.
 TTG requires its foreign shippers to inspect seals prior to being affixed to ocean
containers to ensure that they are not faulty, tampered with, or manipulated. The
probe and lock ends are to be examined carefully to ensure that glue or other
debris has not been placed in the lock end and that the probe has not been altered
to prevent locking.
 TTG requires its foreign shippers to affix the seal to the assigned container once
the doors are closed. To increase the level of security, seals are to be affixed to the
right door of the container on the hasp that has the welded rivit. Once affixed to
the container, the seal is to be pulled downward and twisted to ensure that it does
not unscrew and that it is securely locked.
 TTG requires its foreign shippers to record the seal number, commodity type,
purchase order number, container number, and name of the employee that sealed
the container in a log, spreadsheet, or similar means for recordkeeping purposes.
The seal number is to be provided to the ocean carrier or consolidator for
inclusion as a data element on the ocean bill of lading for verification purposes
once it is received in the United States by TTG.
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THE THOMPSON GROUP



TTG requires its foreign shippers to store empty and full ocean containers in a
secure area to prevent unauthorized access and/or manipulation. TTG
recommends that containers be stored in a fenced-in and secure yard, where
available. Where such a facility is not available, ocean containers are to be
secured by backing up the doors to a hard surface, such as an elevated concrete
loading dock or building wall and secured with a padlock or seal.
TTG expects that its foreign shippers conduct training of its shipping personnel
responsible for stuffing of containers, maintaining and disbursing of seals, storing
of containers, and other similar activities as to the “Shipping Requirements”
addressed in this Document. The shipping personnel are to immediately notify
appropriate management of any discovered breaches in security or integrity issues
regarding seals and containers. Furthermore, the shipping personnel are to
immediately notify appropriate management if they detect any unauthorized or
unidentified persons on company premises, including container loading and
storage areas.
TTG expects that its foreign shippers will immediately implement security
measures, procedures and policies consistent with CBP Security Criteria for CTPAT:
o Physical Access Controls: Access controls prevent unauthorized entry to
facilities, maintain control of employees and visitors, and protect company
assets. Access controls must include the positive identification of all
employees, visitors, and shippers at all points of entry.
 Employees: An employee identification system must be in place
for positive identification and access control purposes. Employees
should only be given access to those secure areas needed for the
performance of their duties. Company management or security
personnel must adequately control the issuance and removal of
employee, visitor, and service provider identification badges.
Procedures for the issuance, removal, and changing of access
devices (e.g., keys, key cards, etc.) must be documented.
 Visitors: Visitors must present photo identification for
documentation purposes upon arrival. All visitors should be
escorted and visibly display temporary identification.
 Deliveries (including mail): Proper ID and/or photo identification
must be presented for documentation purposes upon arrival by all
service providers. Arriving packages and mail should be
periodically screened before being disseminated.
 Challenging and Removing Unauthorized Persons: Procedures
must be in place to identify, challenge, and address
unauthorized/unidentified persons.
o Personnel Security: Processes must be in place to screen prospective
employees and to periodically check current employees.
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Thompson & Co. of Tampa, Inc
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
Pre-Employment Verification: Application information, such as
employment history and references, must be verified prior to
employment.
 Background checks / investigations: Consistent with foreign,
federal, state, and local regulations, background checks and
investigations should be conducted for prospective employees.
Once employed, periodic checks and reinvestigations should be
performed based on cause, and/or the sensitivity of the employee’s
position.
 Personnel Termination Procedures: Companies must have
procedures in place to remove identification, facility, and system
access for terminated employees.
o Procedural Security: Security measures must be in place to ensure the
integrity and security of processes relevant to the transportation, handling,
and storage of cargo in the supply chain.
 Documentation Processing: Procedures must be in place to ensure
that all information used in the clearing of merchandise/cargo is
legible, complete, accurate, and protected against the exchange,
loss, or introduction of erroneous information. Documentation
controls must include safeguarding computer access and
information.
 Manifesting Procedures: To help ensure the integrity of cargo
received from abroad, procedures must be in place to ensure that
information received from business partners is reported accurately
and timely.
 Shipping & Receiving: Arriving cargo should be reconciled
against information on the cargo manifest. The cargo should be
accurately described, and the weights, labels, marks, and piece
count indicated and verified. Departing cargo should be verified
against purchase or delivery orders. Drivers delivering or receiving
cargo must be positively identified before cargo is received or
released.
 Cargo Discrepancies: All shortages, overages, and other
significant discrepancies or anomalies must be resolved and/or
investigated appropriately. CBP and/or other appropriate law
enforcement agencies must be notified if illegal or suspicious
activities are detected - as appropriate.
o Security Training and Threat Awareness: A security training and threat
awareness program should be established and maintained by security
personnel to recognize and foster awareness of the threat posed by
terrorism at each point in the supply chain. Employees must be made
aware of the procedures the company has in place to address a situation
and how to report it. Additional training should be provided to employees
in the shipping and receiving areas, as well as those receiving and opening
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mail. Additionally, specific training should be offered to assist employees
in maintaining cargo integrity, recognizing internal conspiracies, and
protecting access controls. These programs should offer incentives for
active employee participation.
o Physical Security: Cargo handling and storage facilities in domestic and
foreign locations must have physical barriers and deterrents that guard
against unauthorized access. Importers should incorporate the following
C-TPAT physical security criteria throughout their supply chains as
applicable.
 Fencing: Perimeter fencing should enclose the areas around cargo
handling and storage facilities. Interior fencing within a cargo
handling structure should be used to segregate domestic,
international, high value, and hazardous cargo. All fencing must be
regularly inspected for integrity and damage.
 Gates and Gate Houses: Gates through which vehicles and/or
personnel enter or exit must be manned and/or monitored. The
number of gates should be kept to the minimum necessary for
proper access and safety.
 Parking: Private passenger vehicles should be prohibited from
parking in or adjacent to cargo handling and storage areas.
 Building Structure: Buildings must be constructed of materials
that resist unlawful entry. The integrity of structures must be
maintained by periodic inspection and repair.
 Locking Devices and Key Controls: All external and internal
windows, gates, and fences must be secured with locking devices.
Management or security personnel must control the issuance of all
locks and keys.
 Lighting: Adequate lighting must be provided inside and outside
the facility, including the following areas: entrances and exits,
cargo handling and storage areas, fence lines, and parking areas.
 Alarms Systems & Video Surveillance Cameras: Alarm systems
and video surveillance cameras should be utilized to monitor
premises and prevent unauthorized access to cargo handling and
storage areas.
o Information Technology Security
 Password Protection: Automated systems must use individually
assigned accounts that require a periodic change of passwords. IT
security policies, procedures, and standards must be in place and
provided to employees in the form of training.
 Accountability: A system must be in place to identify the abuse of
IT, including improper access, tampering, or the altering of
business data. All system violators must be subject to appropriate
disciplinary actions for abuse.
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Thompson & Co. of Tampa, Inc
THE THOMPSON GROUP
The Thompson Group
“Import Shipping Requirements”
We have read and agree to implement the Shipping Requirements listed in this document.
____________________________________
Company Name
______________________________
Country
____________________________________
Name and Signature
______________________________
Date
Please submit the signed acknowledgement to:
Thompson Cigar
Sabine Smallwood, Traffic Manager
The Thompson Group
5401 Hangar Court
Tampa, Florida 33634
813-884-6344 X6535
E-mail: ssmallwood@thompsongroup.com
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Thompson & Co. of Tampa, Inc
THE THOMPSON GROUP
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