Vessel manifest confidentiality, explained

Vessel manifest confidentiality is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that lets importers keep their name and address, and their suppliers', out of the ocean manifest data that the press and import-data companies receive. Here's how it works.

Why manifest data is public

Every ocean shipment arriving in the U.S. is listed on a vessel manifest. Under 19 CFR 103.31, information from those manifests is made available to the press, and data companies republish it as searchable records. That's why sites like ImportYeti and Panjiva can show which U.S. companies import what, and from whom.

Who can request confidentiality

• Importers and consignees, for inward manifests. The certification can come from the company or its authorized employee, official or attorney.
• Shippers, for their own name and address on outward (export) manifests.

A company doesn't have to show that disclosure would harm its competitive position. The request just needs to be made correctly.

What gets withheld

• The importer's or consignee's name and address
• Marks and numbers that would reveal that name and address
• The notify party's name and address, which are deleted from the data where confidentiality applies
• If requested, the names and addresses of the importer's shippers

Other manifest details, such as cargo descriptions, weights, ports and dates, aren't part of the request.

How long it lasts

Confidentiality is valid for two years and covers all ports of entry. Renewals should be submitted at least 60 days before the current approval expires; CBP's guidance is 60–90 days.

How to request it

There are three ways to submit:

• CBP's Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality online application, which CBP recommends
• Email to vesselmanifestconfidentiality@cbp.dhs.gov
• Mail to CBP's Vessel Manifest Confidentiality office

For email and mail there's no prescribed format, but CBP asks requesters to include their U.S. mailing address and EIN, and the name must exactly match how the importer is entered in CBP's systems. The requesting company is responsible for the accuracy of its request.

The mistakes that leave importers exposed

1. Missing name variants. "Acme Goods LLC" and "ACME GOODS, L.L.C." are different strings. Only the names you file are covered.
2. Forgetting the suppliers. Hiding your own name but not your shippers' still lets people find your factory from the other side.
3. Letting it lapse. After two years, new shipments are published again unless you've renewed.
4. Expecting old records to vanish. Confidentiality applies going forward. Anything already published stays in data-site archives unless removed.
5. Assuming it covers air freight. It applies to vessel manifests only.

Where Supplier Privacy fits

We research every variant and supplier, prepare the certification for your company to sign, submit it, monitor the data sites for leaks and renew on schedule. Prices are published, and you can start with a free Exposure Check.

Sources

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection — Electronic Vessel Manifest Confidentiality
• 19 CFR 103.31 — Information on vessel manifests and summary statistical reports

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Supplier Privacy is not affiliated with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.