PierPass Urges Exporters To Test New Procedures Starting July 31

PierPASS Inc. announced that an open testing period will begin on July 31, for the new procedures for handling export containers under the OffPeak program at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. PierPASS urges all exporters to begin using the modified system during the testing period to ensure they are ready for the change.

Beginning August 7, 2006, exporters delivering containers during peak hours will be required to claim their booking numbers before the containers arrive at the marine terminals. Under the revised procedure, exporters must claim their booking numbers by visiting the PierPASS website and entering the booking numbers into their accounts. Export containers subject to the Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) that arrive at terminals during peak hours (Monday through Friday, 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.) without having been claimed in this manner will be turned around and encouraged to use the OffPeak hours of operation.

TMF payments must be made electronically through the PierPASS website by registered OffPeak users; no OffPeak payments are accepted at the terminal gates. The cargo owner (the shipper) is responsible for payment of the fee, not the trucking company or other carrier.

The website for declaring booking numbers and making TMF payments is www.pierpass-tmf.org.

Exporters who are not current on their accounts will not be allowed to deliver additional containers. For exporters using direct pay methods (credit card, debit card or electronic check), all TMFs for Monday-through-Friday periods must be paid prior to the following Tuesday. For exporters using PierPASS Credit Accounts, all TMFs for Monday-through-Friday periods are invoiced the following Tuesday. Payment terms for credit accounts are net 10 days.