FPA Services

Description of Services Available
 Computer Capabilities with U.S. Customs Service
Hardware
Software
Communication
Internet Shipment Tracking
 Compliance/Training

Services Offered

  • Fully Computerized Customs Clearance
  • Local Trucking and Delivery
  • Warehousing & Distribution
  • Arranging International Transportation
  • Drawbacks – Disc Filling with CBP
  • Door-to-Door all-risk Cargo Insurance
  • Tours of CBP facility at JFK
  • Surety Bonds Required by CBP
  • Intra-state Trucking
  • Pick ‘n Pack Distribution Operations
  • Meeting Passengers/Couriers
  • Carnets
  • Temporary Importation Entries/Bonds (TIB’s)
  • Certificate of Registrations for Export and Return
  • Reconciliation Entries
  • Foreign Trade Zones Entries
  • Remote Location Filing (RLF)

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We are completely computerized and on-line with U.S. Customs as well as Other Governmental Agencies (OGA). We offer our clients Internet Shipment Tracking to allow on-line status of shipments from:

  • Pre-alerts
  • Documents received
  • Classification and Preparation of entry
  • Presentation to CBP and other Government Agencies, (FDA; FWS; USDA) as required
  • Releases by CBP and OGA
  • Payment of Duty to CBP
  • CBP Exams and Status
  • OGA holds
  • Arranging or notification of local trucking
  • CBP Entry Liquidations

Free form notes are input by FPA customer service representatives, and available for immediate access.

Our internal processing systems are monitored and tracked to ensure that documents for air shipments received each day are processed and submitted to U.S. Customs on the same day. Besides our regular staff, we employ an evening staff, who continue processing entries, taking full advantage of U.S. Customs extended hours at JFK, Monday through Friday. Should you require special handling, documents can be faxed or scanned to us, and we can utilize U.S. Customs “Wheels-Up” program to speed clearance of non-quota shipments. We can also arrange special appointments for expedited clearance of “time-sensitive” merchandise. Documents for Ocean shipments are processed upon receipt and pre-filed with U.S. Customs five days prior to vessel arrival; thus allowing clearance upon arrival.

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FPA Computer Capabilities with U.S. Customs Service:

FPA is linked with CBP via the Automated Broker Interface (ABI).

FPA is:

  • ABI Cargo Certified
  • Statement Payment Via ACH (Automated Clearing House)
  • Authorized for pre-quota filing
  • Authorized for “wheels-up” processing
  • Authorized to receive paperless releases
  • Electronically connected with Fish & Wildlife to transmit entry data
  • Approved by FDA for “Paperless mode” via electronic entry processing
  • Approved for electronic invoice presentation (EIP)
  • Approved for national remote location filing (RLF)
  • Approved to participate in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)

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Hardware:

FPA’s core central server is supplied and supported by industry leader HP/Compaq but most importantly, wherever possible, redundant hardware components are purchased to provide ‘hot’ spare parts if existing parts should fail, maximizing system uptime and availability.

  • HP/Compaq Alpha 3300 Mainframe
  • Network Services for Website tracing system and communication to client’s third party vendors.
  • Numerous PC’s for daily operations, emails, word processing, spreadsheets, database management programs, courier tracking.

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Software:

All of our office computers run on Microsoft Windows. This keeps us current on the latest computer software standards and in addition, our staff is fluent in the same office automation tools that most companies use.

Our trade and transportation software is provided by and supported by Kewill/Trade Point Systems, a leader in the industry. They provide reliable and timely service and support to keep our computer systems current and capable on the most recent CBP and government agency trade programs.

Kewill/Trade Point Alliance System includes entry, accounting, tracing, sales analysis, ABI, ACH and:

Upgraded Operations Software in May 2000; Accounting Software upgraded in September 2000 to Trade Point Import Alliance System.

Trade Point Import Alliance System includes entry, accounting, tracing, sales analysis, ABI, ACH and:

  • Import Connection – Shipment tracing information and updated status of entry is downloaded to your PC.
  • Classification Programs – On-Line HTSUSA Classification by your commodity.
  • Electronic Data Interchange – EDI Transmission of invoice and financial information tailored to your needs.
  • Customized Reports – Resources available to meet your information requirements.
  • Internet Tracking – Shipment tracing information available from our Website.
  • Reconciliation – U.S. Customs program to transmit adjusted valuation information.
  • Remote Location Filing – U.S. Customs program to enable FPA to transmit and clear entries nationwide.

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Communication:

Internet communications are a critical component of business technology these days. Paetec Inc is our internet service provider (ISP) and we have subscribed for significantly more bandwidth than required to support our communications outbound and client communications inbound for shipment tracking, etc. Redundancy of this internet connection is provided by Paetec to ensure maximum uptime and access.

Via this same internet connection, we connect to GXS/GEIS and other EDI networks to exchange data with our clients and transportation partners. If you would like to receive data transmission of your shipment data, please contact your FPA representative.

  • AT&T Electronic Mail
  • GXS/GEIS (EDI Express, Quikcomm)
  • ACES (Port Authority, NY/NJ)
  • 4 continuously available fax machines
  • Scanning and OCR equipment
  • Wireless telephone handsets
  • Digital document storage
  • Radio dispatched internal and external messengers

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Internet Tracking

What is it? Internet tracking enables us to provide tracking information to our customers and trading partners anytime, anywhere via internet access.

What are the benefits to you, our customers? You can use internet tracking to perform the following tasks:

  • monitor the arrival of goods
  • download shipment data in flat file or HTML format for use with your own applications and reporting tools
  • provide password protection that ensures only authorized personnel can view the tracking data
  • provide chronological history of completion dates, such as: departure, arrival, U.S. Customs clearance, liquidation
  • provide summaries of all: duties, fees and taxes paid, any notes posted on the shipment

  • provide quick lookup of specific shipments by: PO, master or house bill number, part, container number, entry type, range of date

Reports:

You can print the following reports on your printer.

  • HTS (Tariff) Number
  • Freight cost by carrier or vendor
  • Customs and delivery status
  • Billing summary
  • Open shipments
  • Statement Duty Forecast (ACH Cash Flow)
  • Entry Reconciliation
  • Liquidated Entry
  • Various exception reports

eVents Management System - EMS

FPA’s eVents Management Systems (EMS) tracks specified shipment dates within our tracing database and automatically sends fax or email alert messages to our clients and or their trading partners.

With EMS, the entire process of identifying critical shipment dates and creating appropriate alert messages can be easily managed. Criteria used to trigger an *eVents alert are unlimited, and can consist of various factors:
  • A change of any shipment date
  • A change in a list of user-specified dates
  • The existence of a specific shipment date
  • The non-existence of a specific shipment date

*eVents can be customized, to accommodate the clients needs and requirements.

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Compliance and Training Standards and Policies

All FPA associates participate in an ongoing, in-house education curriculum. We have formalized the learning process and are dedicated to developing people skills and knowledge through training and education to attain our number one goal: delivery of superior service to our clients.

Our curriculum consists of the following:

  • FPA Philosophy: history, values, traditions, strategies, policies, procedures and quality standards.

  • Customer Service: FPA service offerings, communication, teamwork, customer expectations, service delivery and follow-up through communication.

  • Information Systems: application training – Import, ABI, Tracking, Accounting, PC-based software, drawbacks, reconciliation and remote location filing.

  • Customs Brokerage: Training is conducted in-house by FPA Managers. We also send employees to outside seminars for additional education such as World Trade Institute; National Education Institute (NEI); Hazardous Materials/Dangerous Goods Training; USA-ITA Seminars; Customs Brokerage license preparation courses; CBP Quarterly Meetings & Trade Seminars; Customs Broker Association Conferences and Customs Law Attorney Seminars.

  • The following are the classes taught: Documentation, Classification, Traffic, Billing and tracing. Also with in-house video training on: Telephone skills, Customer service, Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets and Outlook

  • All employees are kept informed of the competition, industry developments, international trade issues, and CBP (eliminate U.S. Customs) practices and procedures. In addition, managers go through extensive management, communication and leadership training.

FPA is a Certified C-TPAT Broker
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