Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CRCC Fund?

The Container Royalty Central Collection Fund is an organization jointly operated by the ILA and the USMX, created for the purpose of providing a centralized collection point for ILA royalties assessed for container cargo and to collect/distribute the amounts due for royalties and USMX fees.

How do I get help for CRCC Fund system questions?

Please send an email to the support desk at support@crccfund.org. Additional help can be found in the User’s Tutorials by selecting the Tutorials link on the Station/Carrier Home Page.

What is the address of the CRCC Fund web site?

www.crccfund.org

How do I access the CRCCF CRCC Fund Royalty Application?

Authorized users will be able to access the system from the CRCC Fund home page by selecting the CRCC Fund Royalty Application link near the bottom of the page.

What is the address of the FTP upload site?

ftp.e-pods.com Please note that access to this site is by username/password only.

When do we upload the voyage container files?

All voyage cargo files should be uploaded no later than 7 days after sailing the final ILA port of call for the voyage. Please refer to the Rules Formatting and Uploading Container Files.

How do you get a login for CRCCF?

Select the Register button at the top right of the main login screen? Onscreen instructions will guide the process. Supervisor authorization is needed to obtain a log in.

How will the data be populated?

Primary billing data will be provided by each carrier for their assessable cargo.  Individual container weights for each voyage will be assembled in files to be uploaded to the CRCC FTP server at the completion of each voyage.  We have been working with the IT department at each carrier over the past few months to define and create these files (Mike Young of OOCL has been our contact).  Once received, the new CRCC Fund system will tabulate the tonnage for each port and create a single invoice for the voyage covering all funds and the USMX fee.  Carriers will access the new CRCC Fund web site to view their billing and arrange for payment.  We will be using similar data provided by each of the port operators to corroborate the tonnage amounts.  Discrepancies will be checked/cleared by the local Container Royalty Station personnel in conjunction with their counterparts at each carrier.

Currently we use CCC Service Reporting System to report the tonnage and calculate the assessment. Is this CRCCF system to finally replace the CCC Service reporting system or just for invoicing review only?

When we have completed the roll-out and testing and after a satisfactory period of parallel operation, the new CRCC Fund system will replace the existing CCC Services Tonnage Reporting System for CR4, CR5, and CFS as well as the USMX manual invoicing.  It will also replace the invoicing and payment process for CR1, CR2, and CR3 at the local port level.  Carriers will receive a single invoice for all funds (+USMX) per voyage.  The CRCC Fund will be responsible for disbursement of the receipts to the local stations and to the various other fund accounts.

What can users do on the CRCC Fund System?

Container weight data for individual voyages is automatically loaded in the system when reported by the carrier.

Functions available to BOTH carrier and Container Royalty Station (CRS) personnel are:

• Find Vessels
• Add Vessels
• Find Voyage
• Add Voyage
• Add Container
• Change Container Weight
• Voyage Summary Report
• Voyage Detail Report
• Port Summary Report
• Port Detail Report
• Fund Billing by Port
• Display Weight Exception Report
• Amend Weight Exception Report

Functions Available only to CR Station personnel:

• CR1&CR3 Port Royalty Billing
• Credits to Port Billing

Functions available only to carrier personnel:

• Accounts Payable Reports
• Individual Fund Distribution
• Voyage Refile

What weight units should we use?

According to the Rules for Formatting and Uploading Container Files, the weight units can be any of the following:

The CRCC Fund will make the necessary conversion to Long Tons for royalty assessment.

What is the required data format for uploading files?

The Rules for Formatting and Uploading Container Files for submitting container files are as follows:

Container Record Format

The updated record format is:

Data Upload Timing and Process

Carriers should submit one file per distinct voyage name with all discharge and laded containers for that named voyage.  The voyage file(s) should be uploaded to the CRCC fund FTP site within 7 days of sailing the final ILA port of call for the voyage.  This will constitute the final tonnage for all assessments.

File Naming Convention

The file naming convention is unchanged.  Please note that the carrier should use the file processing date in the file name, as described below:

What is the FIRMS Code?

The US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) uses Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) Code to represents the location of certain goods. Usage in the CRCC Fund system will generally denote the pier, berth, or container terminal where the container is loaded or unloaded.

What is the Activity Code?

The Activity Code designates whether the container is discharged (D) or loaded (L).

What is the IMO number?

This refers to the Vessel registration number issued by the International Maritime Organization. Also referred to as the Lloyd’ number.

What is CAMIR?

The US CBP Customs Automated Manifest Interface Requirements.

What is 309?

The US CBP Manifest Transaction Set (309) is used in an Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) environment

What is AESTIR?

AESTIR refers to the US Customs Automated Export System Trade Interface Requirements.

What is ISO 6346?

ISO 6346 is an international standard covering the coding, identification and marking of intermodal (shipping) containers used within containerized intermodal freight transport. The standard establishes a visual identification system for every container that includes a unique serial number (with check digit), the owner, a country code, a size, type and equipment category as well as any operational marks. The standard is managed by the International Container Bureau (BIC).

Why do you reference these standards if the CRCC Fund does not use them for receiving data?

The references to 309, CAMIR, and other standards were used to help carriers determine what data was being requested.

Can we submit all discharge and loaded containers in the same file?

Yes, the carrier can upload one voyage file with both discharged and loaded containers. IF the carrier chooses to provide separate files for discharges and loads, the files must have different voyage numbers.

Is it possible to add/change one container after original file has been sent?

Yes, via the CRCC Fund web portal. Please refer the Carrier User’s guide for more information.

Should we include empty containers in the voyage file?

Yes. Though there is no assessment for empty containers, the ILA would like to track activities associated with handling empties. Please include empty containers discharged or loaded for all ports with the appropriate Activity Code and zero (0) weight.

Should Container Freight Station (CFS), break-bulk, and pier cargo containers be included?

Yes, these container and their net weights should be included in the data upload. This cargo will be identified and invoices will be adjusted or credits issued appropriately.

Are other files formats acceptable?

Not at this time. The CRCC Fund can only accept text files submitted in the prescribed format and file name convention.

What if there are mistakes in the original file or if containers need to be added or deleted to the voyage file?

The CRCC Fund website has the facility to allow carriers to access the voyage file (after the original file has been uploaded and processed) and enter or delete containers or change container weights?

What if there are too many container record changes to manually update?

Carriers will be allowed to resubmit the voyage file in its entirety. Carrier wishing to do so must contact the help desk at support@crccfund.org for instruction on how and when to resubmit.

How will the carrier upload data be verified?

For each voyage, the CRCC Fund will compare the data received from the carrier with that received from the terminal operator for each port. This comparison will list any containers that do not match (within a suitable variance range) in an exception report. This report will be sent to the local CR station for follow up and resolution of the variance with their carrier contacts. Any changes made to the official assessable tonnage will be processed as a credit to the voyage invoice.

If a voyage arrives at the first port of call under one voyage number then changes to another voyage number for the remainder of the port call range, does the carrier submit under both voyage numbers?

The carrier can submit the first port import cargo under the beginning voyage number and other cargo (import and export) under the second voyage. This would be a dual file submission and would probably work best in this case. Alternatively, the carrier could submit ALL cargo under the second voyage number for the entire port call range in a single file. The CRCC Fund would calculate assessments under the second option for the entire voyage and submit as one invoice. The first option would render two invoices. Either way, the Discharge/Lading designation (field #11 – Activity Code) must be used for each container regardless of the Voyage Number used.

We have service that calls US East Coast ports, then goes to foreign ports and returns to US EC ports under same voyage number. Should we would submit the entire of range calls (both prior to and after the foreign port calls) as one submission, or would we need to send separate submission pre and post foreign call between the US port calls?

The carrier should submit the entire ILA port range as one file if the voyage number is constant or two files if there is a Voyage Number change.

Discharge units versus load units – do you need anything to differentiate between the two?

The current royalty rates do not differentiate, but the CRCCF will use the Activity Code (D/L) for reporting and auditing purposes, as well as to allow for flexibility in future applications.

If there are 1,000 containers for one vessel we would send 1000 lines, one line per container. We would do this for both import cargo and export cargo?

Correct on both points. All bill of lading weights for a container should be consolidated into a single record.

How are moratoria applied?

The moratorium is applied as a credit to billing for the designated fund. The amount due for the fund is credited and the moratorium balance is decreased until exhausted, then normal fund billing resumes.

When will voyage invoices be made available?

Generally 24-48 hours after the upload of the voyage data file, CRCC Fund will issue an invoice which will be available for review and payment on the carrier page.

How will carrier know which funds and ports have been paid?

Individual invoice back-up reports will breakdown the allocation by fund and port for that invoice. Billing statements are also available that provide this detail.

How are invoices to be paid?

Carriers will no longer make individual fund payments but rather will make a single payment to the CRCC Fund who will then distribute monies to the local stations and the various central funs and the USMX,

When are invoice payment due?

30 days from the date of the invoice.

Will interest be assessed on late payment?

Yes, after the 30-day payment period has elapsed, interest on any outstanding balance will accrue at the rate of 1.5% per month.