Date: Friday, July 22, 2005

Re:	PIERPASS - UPDATE

Dear NASA Member:

On July 25, 2005, all loaded containers entering or exiting Port of Los Angeles or Port of Long Beach marine terminal gates by road during peak hours will be assessed a Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF).

For the cargo you will be moving next week, make sure you can answer these questions:

1.	Who will be entering your containers into the PierPASS system? Are they registered?
2.	Who will be identifying which containers will be moved by road during peak hours and subjected to the fees?
3.	Who will be logging onto the website and making the payment? Are they registered?
4.	What other individuals including co-workers, customers and industry partners need to be notified of payments? Are they listed on your PierPASS account for notification of events?
5.	Who will be verifying the TMF has been paid before dispatching a driver to the port during peak hours? Are they registered?

If you are not 100% certain that each of the parties necessary for the timely delivery of your cargo have registered, we urge you to take the time to ensure that you and they have completed the PierPASS registration now. There will NOT BE A GRACE PERIOD where loaded containers will be released during peak hours without the TMF being paid. Keep in mind that many other companies have already uploaded container data and are making TMF payments where appropriate.

Containers are exempt from the TMF if they are empty, transshipment to other ports, or are domestic containers. In response to questions received, the following is additional information regarding the nonexemptions and exemptions:

• TMF is due on empty containers that have been shipped as cargo themselves, such as in the case of a company purchasing new containers from an overseas manufacturing company.
• TMF is due even if the cargo is containerized for convenience (or another reason).
• TMF is due on containers exiting the terminal by road even if it is destined for Port of San Diego or another port.
• TMF is NOT due for containers not passing through the gates by road. This includes containers that:
• Arrive or depart via the Alameda Corridor
• Pay an ACTA fee
• Arrive and depart the port via ship

Containers will also be exempt from the TMF if they are transported during the OffPeak shifts Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For current, official TMF status, registered users MUST log on to the official PierPASS site and CONFIRM that the TMF has been paid at the Traffic Mitigation Fee page. Containers can be identified by bill of lading (if provided by the terminal) or container number. To simply report on TMF status, registered users have the option of using eModal. By going to eModal's "PierPASS" column in the Activity Folder, terminals can indicate if a payment for the TMF has been made for a container.

Keep the Cargo Moving!

Pass this on to your customers, co-workers and other industry partners. It will help answer questions before they become problems. Keep the cargo moving by staying informed.

PierPASS Customer Service Numbers:
1-877-863-3310 (from inside the United States )
1-973-355-3575 (from outside the United States )

Best regards,

North American Shippers Association (NASA)
Joan Barrett
NASA Administrator