- Q : What is AMS?
- A : AMS, abbreviation of Automated Manifest System, is a electronic transmission system to US Customs (CBP) before the actual arrival of cargo in US territory. This system originally started as to simplify the custom procedure, but recently, the main focus has shifted to inspect cargo in advance to avoid terror and to tighten security measures. CBP : Customs and Border Protection - New Official Name for US Customs. Sub-organization of US DHS (Department of Homeland Security)
- Q : What is the basic difference between AMS and other nation's declaration system?
- A : AMS requires mandatory submission of electronic declarations within 4 hours before the arrival at first US stations. Secondly, the Carrier must transmit both MAWB and HAWB. Thirdly, any mis-input in Data, late or omission of transmission are subject to penalty.
- Q : What is the estimated amount of fine for each AMS Data failure and who is subject to fine?
- A : For each irregularity case per MAWB/HAWB, USD5,000 - USD 10,000 will be imposed to the Carrier. According to US DHS Regulation § 122.48[c][3], the Carrier could seek re-compensation to the Agent. Cases subject to penalty : Omission of Transmission, Inaccurate Transmission, False Report Shipment of US Embargo items.
- Q : Who is subject to AMS Transmission?
- A : Carrier (mandatory) Freight Forwarder (AMS Deconsolidator) Importer or its Broker (ABI : Automated Broker Interface) Express Consignment Facility
- Q : Should Forwarders register to US CBP for transmission of Air AMS?
- A : Forwarders are not required to register to US CBP, and HAWB could be transmitted in other ways (See Submission of AWB Data to the Carrier). However, AMS Deconsolidator should complete registration process to acquire FIRMS Code from CBP. FIRMS : Facilities Information and Resources Management System
- Q : Are there any exceptions to the Declaration of Air AMS?
- A : Public aircraft, Private aircraft, Charter Flights operated by US Gov't are exempted from Transmission of Air AMS.
- Q : What are the cities that require the Transmission of Air AMS?
- A : All US Mainland cities and ANC, HNL.
- Q : Which regions are exempted from Transmission of Air AMS?
- A : Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands and Johnston Atoll.
- Q : When is the enforcement date of Air AMS?
- A :
Date Ports in the Following Locations Eastern U.S. August 13, 2004 Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Marryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia. Central U.S. October 13, 2004 Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin Western U.S. December 13, 2004 Alaska, Arizona, california, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington
- Q : Does the enforcement date above applies to first station (including T/L) or final destination?
- A : Air AMS applies to the first station (including T/L). For MASkargo, all MH flights to New York will take effect from 13th August, 2004. For MH flights to Los Angeles, Air AMS will take effect from 13th December, 2004.
- Q : Who is responsible for Air AMS Data input?
- A : In general, the Carrier is responsible for MAWB Data input, and the Agent (Departure Station) is responsible for HAWB Data input.
- Q : What is the time limit for Air AMS and which station is in charge of sending Air AMS data to CBP?
- A : Air AMS Data should be sent no later than 4 hours before arrival of the first station in US territory. For MASkargo, the first departure station will be in charge of sending Air AMS data to CBP.
- Q : Glossary
- A :
Acronym Description ACS Automated Commercial System. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) electronic entry/manifest processing system ABI Automated Broker Interface, a module of CBP Automated Commercial System AES Automated Export System AGT Agent. (Message Line Identifier) AAMS AMS AMS Automated Manifest System. Comprised of Air, Sea/Rail modules of ACS ARR Arrival detail. (Message Line Identifier) AWB Air waybill (Message Line Identifier) ASN Airline Status Notification. (Message Line Identifier) ATA Air Transport Association of America ATS Automated Targeting System B/L Bill of Lading CAMIR Customs Automated Manifest Interface Requirements CCL Cargo Control Location. (Message Line Identifier) CED Customs Express Detail (Message Line Identifier). CFR or CR Code of Federal Regulations or Customs Regulations CFS Container Freight Station (also known as Deconsolidator) CNE Consignee. (Message Line Identifier) COAC Commercial Operations Advisory Committee of the Customs Service CRLF Carriage Return and Line Feed (end-of-line character string) CSD Customs Shipment Description. (Message Line Identifier) CSI Container Security Initiative CSN Customs Status Notification. (Message Line Identifier) C-TPAT The Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism CTO Cargo Terminal Operator. FIRMS or carrier code. DEP Departure. (Message Line Identifier) DHS Department of Homeland Security ECCF Express Cargo Clearance Facility ERF Error Report Flight (Message Line Identifier) ERR Error. (Message Line Identifier) FDM Flight Departure Message. (Message Type) FER Freight Error Report. (Message Type) FIRMS Facility Information Resource Management System FRC Freight Report Change. (Message Type) FRI Freight Report Inbound. (Message Type) FROB Foreign Cargo Remaining on Board FSC Freight Status Condition. (Message Type) FRX Freight Report Cancellation. (Message Type) FSI Freight Status Information (Message Type) FSN Freight Status Notification. (Message Type) FSQ Freight Status Query. (Message Type) FXC Freight Express Change. (Message Type) FXI Freight Express Inbound. (Message Type) FXX Freight Express Cancellation. (Message Type) GMT Greenwich Mean Time G.O. General Order. House Air Waybill House air waybill. HUB Private type of courier express facility (exclusive to operating air courier) ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization. Issuer of the Three-Letter Airline Designator IATA International Air Transportation Association IATA CARGO IMP IATA Cargo Interchange Message Procedures. IB In-Bond IE Immediate Exportation or Informal Entry under Customs bond. ISO International Standards Organization IT Immediate Transportation under Customs Bond Master Air Waybill Master air waybill for consolidation. MDR Manifest Discrepancy Report. MOD Modification NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (2003.7.23) RIA Regulatory Impact Analysis PTP Permit To Proceed. RFA Reason For Amendment. (Message Line Identifier) SCAC Standard Carrier Alpha Code (not supported by AMS) SHP Shipper SMI Standard Message Identifier. T&E Transportation and Exportation under Customs bond. TRN Transfer TSA Transportation Security Administration TXT Text explanation XACTION Transaction XFER Transfer XMIT Transmit US United States USPS United States Postal Service WBL Waybill