Importers, does it concern you that much information on shipping manifests covering merchandise shipped to your company is freely available to everyone. Thus, your competitors can identify your suppliers or shippers, your imported merchandise, the consignees, and many other details re each shipment. They may find this information very helpful – to them.
If you don’t care, that’s one thing. But, if you would prefer that your manifest data remain confidential and not publicly available, you can make it so by filing a request with Customs and Border Protection, pursuant to 19 C.F.R. 103.31(c), to keep confidential all information on each of your manifests re any identifying marks/numbers, names and addresses of the importer, consignee, and the shipper.
Exporters can protect the same sort of information under 19 C.F.R.103.31(d)
Once granted, this protection is valid for two (2) years after issuance. Reapplication is required before the time period expires to avoid a gap in coverage. Givens & Johnston arranges (through its associated trade compliance firm, GJA Trade, Inc.) to gather the required information and file for importers and exporters, and re-file as necessary. The charge is $300 for each filing.