PHILADELPHIA, January 12, 2010 - Global logistics and transportation services firm, BDP International, has established a hotline to assist first-time ISF 10+2 filers. The 24/7 connection provides quick access to BDP experts on the requirements of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) new Importer Security Filing (ISF) or 10+2 rule, which becomes effective January 26.

"To help importers avoid penalties for late, inaccurate or failure to file ISF records, we've set up a hotline for first-time filers," said Michael J. Ford, BDP vice president of regulatory compliance and quality. "Among the questions we anticipate are 'Do I need to file an ISF for my shipment?', 'What should I do if I haven't filed any records yet?', 'Can you help me collect the data elements for filing?'."

Designed to help prevent terrorist weapons from being transported to the U.S. and to improve identification of high-risk shipments to prevent smuggling and ensure cargo safety and security, the 10+2 rule requires importers and ocean carriers to provide CBP advance notification for all ocean vessel shipments inbound to the U.S.

Importers must submit electronically 10 additional data elements 24 hours prior to vessel departure from a foreign port (manufacturer name/address, seller name/address, container stuffing location, consolidator name/address, buyer name/address, ship-to name/address, importer of record number, consignee number, goods' country of origin, and commodity harmonized tariff schedule number). Ocean carriers must provide two new data sets, vessel stow plans containing information about loaded containers and container status messages identifying movements or changes in load status.

About BDP International
With annual revenues of approximately $1.6 billion, BDP International is one of the leading privately held freight logistics/transportation management firms based in the U.S. It operates freight logistics centers in more than 20 cities throughout North America and a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures and strategic partnerships in more than 120 countries. The company serves more than 4,000 customers worldwide. Clients include Bayer, Conoco Phillips, Dow, DuPont, Heineken USA, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Marks & Spencer, Revlon, Trek Bicycle, Wacker and others. BDP provides a range of services, including ocean, air and ground transportation; lead logistics process analysis, design and management; export freight forwarding; import customs brokerage and regulatory compliance; project and energy logistics; warehousing/consolidation/distribution; and Internet shipping transaction/tracking management systems. For more information visit www.bdpinternational.com.