Shipping & Logistics

AMS

Also known as: Automated Manifest System · Sea AMS · Air AMS

The CBP system through which ocean and air carriers, NVOCCs, and forwarders transmit advance cargo manifest data prior to arrival in the United States.

AMS — the Automated Manifest System — is the CBP system through which ocean carriers, air carriers, NVOCCs, and freight forwarders transmit advance cargo manifest data to U.S. Customs.

AMS is the inbound counterpart to the Automated Export System (AES). It has now been absorbed into the ACE single-window environment, but the name "AMS" is still universally used in industry to refer to the manifest filing function.

AMS has mode-specific variants:

  • Sea AMS / Vessel AMS — ocean cargo manifests, filed under the AMS 24-Hour Rule
  • Air AMS — air cargo manifests, filed prior to wheels-up at foreign airport (4 hours for most lanes, "wheels-up" for short haul)
  • Rail AMS — rail cargo manifests, filed 2 hours before arrival at border
  • Truck AMS — replaced by e-Manifest (also called ACE Truck Manifest), filed 1 hour before arrival at border

Carriers and NVOCCs connect to AMS through certified service providers (Descartes, CargoWise, GT Nexus) or by self-certifying as an AMS filer with CBP. NVOCCs must obtain a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) to file.

For ocean imports, AMS filings include the bill of lading number, vessel and voyage, container number(s), shipper and consignee, and cargo description. CBP cross-references AMS data against ISF data to identify discrepancies.

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Related Terms

AMS 24-Hour Rule

The CBP rule requiring ocean carriers to transmit complete cargo manifest data to AMS 24 hours before cargo is laden on a vessel destined for the United States.

ACE

CBP's single-window trade processing system — the primary platform for cargo release, entry summary, manifest filings, and partner government agency data.

Importer Security Filing

The CBP advance cargo data program for ocean imports — requires the importer to file 10 data elements and the carrier to file 2 before vessel lading at the foreign port.

e-Manifest

The electronic cargo manifest used by truck and rail carriers entering the U.S. — filed in ACE before arrival at the land border.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that enforces U.S. customs laws, collects duties, and processes imports at every U.S. port of entry.
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