"OOCL and a few of its competitors have what is essentially code-sharing on each other ships"
That sends shivers.
Why? In terms of the ocean-portion of a shipment.. a ship is a ship is a ship.
Anyway , what might interest people are the new rules for cargo since 9/11 that US Customs put into place.
US Customs is essentially forward-deployed at every foreign port in the world:
http://www.oocl.com/press/special/US_Customs/UScustoms.htm
US Customs 24-hour Advance Cargo Manifest Declaration Rule
Effective December 2nd, 2002 Customs Regulations have been amended and the rule has been published in the Customs Federal Register (CFR) regarding 24-hour Advance Manifest Policy.
The rule requires all ocean carriers or NVOCC’s (non vessel operating common carriers) to submit a complete cargo manifest to US Customs at least 24 hours prior to cargo loading if that vessel is calling a US port direct.
The rule extends not only to US Imports but also to cargo transitting US ports and remaining on board the vessel for subsequent discharge at a non-US port. For US cargo moving via Canadian ports, US Customs will be working closely with their Canadian counterparts.
Details of cargo manifest must be based on actual declaration of cargo by the shipper, and must be submitted no later than the OOCL cargo declarations cut off deadline at cargo origin.
The 24-hour period is measured against the scheduled commencement of loading for each non-US port to a vessel destined or transitting a US port.
Failure to comply with this rule could result in cargo hold at origin port, significant penalties against the carrier or NVOCC, along with the removal of container for inspection by US customs and/or the denial of permission to unload vessel cargo and the possibility of returning the cargo to the load port.
OOCL has enrolled and is a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) certified carrier. Click here for more details on OOCL's C-TPAT certification
OOCL Q&A
Click here for Important Questions & Answers from OOCL. Please contact your local OOCL office for further information.
US Customs Q&A
A detailed Q&A document has been issued by US Customs as well and can be found at http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/import/carriers/24hour_rule/. Further information on this topic may be found at www.worldshipping.org or www.cbp.gov