Cargo Owners Encouraged to Register with LA/LB PortCheck System for Collection of Clean Truck Fees
The Port of Long Beach has issued a notice encouraging cargo owners to register with the new computerized system being developed to enable the collection of Clean Truck Fees (CTF) 1 from cargo owners, PortCheck.
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PortCheck - similar to the existing PierPass system - is being created to collect the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach tariff requirements under the Clean Truck Program (CTP).
Ports Will Being Collect Fee As Soon As Computer System is Operational
According to the notice and port sources, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach will begin collecting the CTFs as soon as the computer system is operational, which is expected to be a few weeks after October 1, 2008.
(At the end of September 2008, the ports announced that they were delaying the imposition of the CTF, and that this fee and certain other components of the CTP would be implemented using a stepped approach.)
PierPass Users Will Have Their Information Automatically Entered into PortCheck
According to the PortCheck Web site, the information for those already registered with PierPass will be automatically entered into PortCheck. This includes both registration and credit information. Those registered with PierPass will only need to confirm their registration on their first visit to PortCheck.
Cargo Owners Encouraged to Register Immediately
Cargo owners are encouraged to register with PortCheck (www.portcheck.org) or PierPass (www.pierpass-tmf.org) immediately in order to claim their cargo when the ports begin assessing the fee.
Note that the PortCheck Web site is under construction, and those wanting to get a start on the PortCheck registration process should register for PierPass.
Long Beach Posted Lists of LMCs That Have Received Approval for Operating Concessions
To ensure that cargo is not delayed, the Port of Long Beach urges all beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) to verify that the Licensed Motor Carriers (LMCs) that haul their cargo have a Port-approved concession. Trucks not associated with a valid concessionaire will be turned away at the gates of the ports.
In order to assist BCOs, the Port of Long Beach has posted lists of the LMCs that have applied for and have received preliminary approval for operating concessions. These lists, which will be updated regularly, can be accessed and downloaded at http://www.polb.com/concessionlog.
1A $35 charge on every loaded twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) cargo container entering or leaving the Ports of Long Beach or Los Angeles cargo terminals by short-haul (drayage) trucks.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 09/26/08 news, 08092607, for BP summary of the ports delaying the CTP fees, with links to other LA/LB CTP notices.)
Port of Long Beach notice available at http://www.polb.com/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=457&TargetID=24
PortCheck Web site available at http://www.portcheck.org/