AMS refers to the Automated Manifest System. Essentially, it’s an electronic data transmission system controlled by U.S customs. U.S Customs uses the information transmitted through AMS Ocean to process shipments coming into the country. Specifically, air and ocean cargo coming into the U.S must have an AMS filing with comprehensive information about the shipment. This acts as a security measure. The system came into existence in 2002 to provide sufficient security and safety measures during shipment transportation. Through this, it’s possible to track freight and to mitigate any security threats.

It’s the freight forwarder or carrier who does the AMS filing. The filing of shipment details happens 24 hours before loading for ocean cargo. Cargo reporting is the first point of information transmission that carriers should undertake. Ocean cargo also requires to have an Importer Security Filing (ISF) send to CBP at least 24 hours before the loading of cargo into a ship. Forwarders have to ensure that they present the necessary information before the ship arrives at the port.

AMS Ocean manifests have to be filed electronically with the CBP before the arrival of goods in US ports of entry. Participants also need to have the necessary bonds (FMC bond & International Carrier Bond) and have a SCAC code.

Participating carriers, service bureaus, NVOCC, and port authorities will need to send the required eManifests to CBP. Once the CBP receives the manifest, it will update the record with entry, examination and release information. The information is then sent to the originators of the eManifest and if provided, the Secondary Notify Party (SNP) will also receive the status of the ocean bill of lading such as “Bill on File”, “ISF Match” & “MVOCC Match”.

Formal and informal entries have to be submitted electronically through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI). These submissions will then be automatically processed through the Cargo Selectivity System. Once the data is processed, it will then be automatically forwarded to the broker and carrier.

The AMS Ocean manifest makes it possible for the CBP to place or remove holds on entire manifests, bills of lading or specific containers. Typically, the carrier cannot release goods to the importer until they receive notifications from ACE, even though the goods may be processed and released by CBP.

With an AMS Ocean manifest, cargo can be moved under bond without payment of duty or tax. The CBP may issue a Permit to Transfer (PTT) that allows the goods to move within the port for examination or devanning. Nonetheless, goods moved under PTT must still clear with CBP. ACE also allows the movement of cargo under bond for shipments going to a port different than the port of discharge. In-bond movements may be initiated by a CBP officer, broker, NVOCC or a carrier transmitting a manifest.