Ship formalities issues

Pre-entry procedures for ships: Ships must declare 24 hours in advance before entering the port, and can only enter the port after obtaining permission from the port inspection units such as immigration inspection, maritime affairs, customs, and national inspection. Exceptionally, when engaging in international routes, the United States has special regulations. The U.S. Customs Act specifically stipulates the "Automated Manifest System (AMS)" for ships sailing to the United States for unloading. Any ship sailing to the United States must arrive at a foreign port. Report all relevant cargo manifests to U.S. Customs 24 hours before loading. Carriers are required to submit an unloading permit to U.S. Customs 48 hours prior to arrival at a U.S. port.

After arriving at the port, the ship needs to submit a "Notice of Readiness for Loading and Unloading" to the port of call before loading and unloading operations can begin.

Before the ship leaves the port, the captain must provide relevant documents and obtain a customs clearance certificate from the Marine Department. Before leaving the port, the captain must report the ship's name, call sign, location, next port, customs clearance number, confirmation from the Immigration Bureau, etc. via VHF, and obtain a departure permit.