Customs Says Rule Isn’t Slowing Cargo

Cargo destined for the United States has not been slowed by Sunday’s enforcement of a rule aimed at protecting U.S. ports and shipping lanes from terrorists, according to U.S. Customs.

Customs Commissioner Robert Bonner said more than 90% of shippers were meeting the tougher standard, which requires them to provide full descriptions of the contents of their containers 24 hours before they are loaded.

Because of confusion over the new rule, which is part of the U.S. homeland security plan, Customs said last week that it would enforce only the most egregious violations in the early days.

Importers worried that the new rule would lead to backups in Hong Kong, the main gateway for Chinese manufacturers that have built their business around last-minute production and delivery of goods. But Singapore-based shipping giant APL said its ships left Hong Kong on schedule over the weekend.