Ship'S Store Declaration In Argentinian Ports

Brief Description of Event

It recently happened with a bulk carrier vessel calling at a port in Argentina.

Following is extracted from safety bulletin of a Shipmanager:

It is to bring to your attention a recent incident involving one of our managed Bulk Carriers, which was fined USD 214,000 by Argentine Customs at the port due to an alleged misdeclaration of ship's stores.

In this case, the Master had correctly submitted the ship's stores declaration to the local agent via email one week prior to arrival.

Upon arrival, the agent and a customs officer boarded the vessel for inward clearance. The agent instructed the Master to make a few changes to the declaration form, including the removal of urea (used in the SCR system), claiming that it was not required to be declared. The Master, acting on the agent's advice, made the changes and handed over the revised form to the agent.

Four days later, a customs inspection team boarded the vessel and informed the Master that an administrative case would be initiated due to the omission of urea from the stores declaration which could result in a fine of around USD 214,000.

Immediate Causes

Master made changes to submitted formalities on the local agent’s advice without any assessment and advice with office. The recommendation of a local agent, at least should be received on written format.

Root Causes

Lack of efficient caution and diligence when completing customs declarations in Argentina. According to multiple P&I Club correspondents in the region, vessels continue to face significant fines for discrepancies in customs documentation.

Proposed Preventive Actions

Ship’s Master should be aware of Argentine Customs Regulations. As per Argentina's Customs Authorities, to standardize the documentation process, the following forms are to be used upon arrival at any Argentine port:

OM 1645 - Ship's Stores Declaration
OM 1646 - Deck Stores List
OM 1647 - Engine Room Stores List
OM 1648 - Crew Effects Declaration

While these forms provide a framework for consistency, ambiguity still exists. For example, Form OM 1645 refers to "Lube Oil" but does not clarify whether quantities in sump tanks should be included, or whether measurements should be taken with engines running or stopped. Similarly, there is no specific guidance regarding the declaration of urea used in SCR systems.
Masters of vessels calling at Argentine ports must exercise extreme caution and accuracy when completing customs and stores declarations. The following actions are strongly recommended:

Contact the local agent well in advance of arrival to verify current customs and immigration requirements, and to confirm the exact documentation needed.
Exercise special care when declaring:

Paints, thinners, and other chemicals (for BWTS, SCR, Hold cleaning)
Bunkers, lube oil, and hydraulic oil
Electronic appliances and crew personal effects
Cigarettes and alcohol
Spare parts, including engine and deck inventories

Send the declaration to office for review and seek clarification where needed before submitting the documents to the agents/customs.
DO NOT make any changes before consulting office.

Measures and Plan of Improvement for Crew Manager

Immediately include the Case Study into training material for top 4 seminar, crew pre-joining briefing.
To remind and warn ship masters whenever their ships is scheduled to enter Argentinian ports.