T900 processing and examining sea conveyances and containers

Question 1

Which vessels are required to report their arrival to CBP?

Answer 1

Any vessels arriving from a foreign location or from other
U.S. ports with foreign residue passengers and/or cargo. In addition, any foreign-flagged vessel moving within the United States or any vessel with bonded stores must also report to CBP immediately.

Question 2

What is the difference between granting a vessel clearance and granting it a permit to
proceed?

Answer 2

“Clearance” means that the vessel is going foreign;
“permit to proceed” means that the vessel is going to another U.S. port.

Question 3

The formal entry requirement for a commercial vessel includes four basic elements. What
are they?

Answer 3

• Entry must be made within 48 hours of arrival.
• The manifest must be presented with the master’s original signature.
• Certain vessel documents must be presented for inspection.
• Fees and taxes must be paid.

Question 4

If a vessel is given permission to unlade prior to making formal entry, what has happened?

Answer 4

The vessel has been granted preliminary entry.

Question 5

If you cannot avoid performing a search on a vessel while it is unloading or loading cargo,
what should you do?

Answer 5

Avoid walking under loads by limiting fore and aft movement on the main deck to the outboard side of the vessel. Be aware of winch lines, a moving onboard crane, and swinging loads.

Question 6

When examining the interior walls of a container, what should you look for?

Answer 6

Rectangular boxes located in the upper corners of the front wall; dents on only one side of the wall; blocked, partially blocked, or missing ventilation holes; panels over the ribs in a type of container that usually has exposed ribs; excess paneling or paneling covered by the floor.

Question 7

When examining the floor of a container, what should you look for?

Answer 7

Raised or altered flooring, side panels covered by the floor, interior and exterior flooring that does not match.

Question 8

Vessels that must report arrival to CBP include those that:

Answer 8

• Arrive from a foreign location.
• Arrive with bonded stores.
• Arrive from other U.S. ports with foreign residue passengers and/or cargo.
• Are foreign-flagged and moving within the U.S.

Question 9

Formal entry of vessels consists of:

Answer 9

• Presenting a manifest with master’s original signature.
• Presenting vessel documents for inspection.
• Paying any fees or taxes.
• Must be made within 48 hours of arrival.

Question 10

Before boarding a vessel, you must:

Answer 10

• Check the receipt of advance manifest data.
• Query TECS.
• Verify that a Permit to Unlade (CBP Form
  3171) has been filed.

Question 11

The concepts unique to vessel examination include:

Answer 11

• Targeting
• Preparation
• Safety
• Load Line
• Confined spaces
• Systematic Examination
• The Team Concept

Question 12

When examining vessels, use these safety considerations…

Answer 12

• Wear protective equipment.
• Avoid searching working vessels.
• Be aware of slippery decks and unstable ladders.
• Be careful around high voltage equipment.
• Work in teams.

Question 13

As with land border and airport conveyance examinations, officers should develop a routine, ________ procedure and use it when examining every vessel.

Answer 13

Systematic

Question 14

When examining a vessel, you should look for these 3 indicators of contraband concealment:

Answer 14

• Unexplained objects in void spaces
• False walls, ceilings or doors
• Fresh paint, glue or cocking