AMI — the Automated Manifest Interface — is the EDI-based interface that allows ocean carriers, NVOCCs, air carriers, and freight forwarders to transmit cargo manifest data into AMS, the Automated Manifest System. AMI is the manifest-side counterpart to ABI, which handles entry filings.
Manifest filers connect to AMI through:
- Direct point-to-point EDI connections to CBP — typical for the largest ocean carriers
- Certified service providers — Descartes, CargoWise, GT Nexus, INTTRA — which most NVOCCs and forwarders use
- VANs (Value-Added Networks) — message-routing intermediaries
AMI handles the ANSI X.12 309 transaction set (Customs Manifest) for vessel manifests and corresponding messages for air, truck, and rail. CBP responds through transaction sets including 350 (Customs Status Information), 353 (Customs Events Advisory Details), and 355 (Customs Acceptance/Rejection) flowing back to the filer.
For ocean manifests, AMI is what implements the AMS 24-Hour Rule — the data transmitted through AMI 24 hours before vessel lading is what gives CBP its targeting window. For air manifests, it implements the "wheels-up" or 4-hour pre-arrival rule depending on lane.
Each AMI participant has a CBP-assigned SCAC (Standard Carrier Alpha Code) — a 2- to 4-letter code that appears on every filing and on every bill of lading. Maersk's SCAC is MAEU; MSC's is MSCU; CMA CGM is CMDU.
Like ABI, AMI has been migrated to operate within ACE but the underlying X.12 EDI transactions remain.