The Advance Filing Rule (AFR) is a customs security regulation that requires carriers, freight forwarders, or importers to electronically submit detailed cargo information to customs authorities before a vessel departs from its port of origin. This mandatory pre-arrival filing enables customs agencies to conduct risk assessments and security screenings of incoming shipments before they reach the destination country’s borders. AFR is primarily enforced for ocean freight shipments entering specific jurisdictions, most notably Japan and China, though similar advance filing requirements exist in various forms across multiple countries worldwide.
Key Characteristics
- Mandatory Electronic Submission
- Strict Filing Deadlines
- Carrier and Importer Responsibility
