• 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)

• AMS requires mandatory transmit 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.

• 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.

• Carrier (mandatory)
• Freight Forwarder (AMS De-consolidator)
• Importer or its Broker (ABI : Automated Broker Interface)
• Express Consignment Facility

• Forwarders are not required to register to US CBP, and HAWB could be transmitted in other ways (Please refer to VI). However, AMS De-consolidator should complete registration process to acquire FIRMS Code from CBP.
• FIRMS : Facilities Information and Resources Management System

• Public aircraft
• Private aircraft
• Charter Flights operated by US Gov't are exempted from Transmission of Air AMS

• All US Mainland cities and ANC, HNL

• Guam
• The Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan)
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• American Samoa
• Wake Island
• Midway Islands and
• Johnston Atoll.

• Eastern Region of US (JFK, WAS(IAD), ATL) effective from 2004.8.13
• Central Region of US (ORD, DFW) effective from 2004.10.13
• Western Region of US (LAX, SFO, PDX, HNL, ANC) effective from 2004.12.13

• Air AMS applies to the first station (including T/L).
  • For Korean Air, all flights via ANC Air AMS will take effect from 13th December, 2004.
  • For non-stop flights to Eastern Region of US, Air AMS will take effect from 13th August, 2004.

• In general, the Carrier is responsible for MAWB Data input, and the Agent (Departure Station) is responsible for HAWB Data input.

• Air AMS Data should be sent no later than 4 hours before arrival of the first station in US territory. For Korean Air, the first arrival station will be in charge of sending Air AMS data to CBP.

• Korean Air stations (Origin) outside of Korea could provide such service with certain amount of fee. In the case of Korean territory, agents should use VAN system such as Traxon, and KT-Net and send HAWB data to Carrier. Certain amount of fee would be charged for the service of VAN system.

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

• MAWB must include Total Inner PC (the smallest external packaging unit) as well as SKID Unit and ULD Unit.
  • example - 1pc 2400 kg (1 BUC, 345box) → 1p(345pc) 2400 kg
  • example - 5pc 3500 kg (5 Skid, 1 Skid Contains 75Box) → 5p(375pc) 3500 kg  

Related CBP Q and A

Q. When reporting the quantity of pieces for cargo loaded on a pallet, unit load device (ULD) or other similar equipment, what quantity should be reported in Air AMS?  

A. The Final Rule requires that the Air AMS participant report the quantity based on the smallest external packing unit. For example, one pallet loaded with 100 boxes would be reported with a quantity of 100. 

• Both total HAWB WT and MAWB WT must be identical.

• Consol MAWB : The Name & Address of Consolidator/Deconsolidator
• Single MAWB & HAWB : Actual Name & Address of SHIPPER/CONSIGNEE
• example :
  • Name of the Shipper : Up to 35 alphanumeric (including space)
  • Street & Address : Up to 35 alphanumeric (including space)
  • CITY, COUNTRY, TOWNSHIP : Up to 17 alphanumeric(including space)
  • STATE : Up to 9 alphanumeric (including space) Abbreviation is accepted (ex. California → CA)
  • COUNTRY CODE : 2 Letters only (number is not acceptable)

• Input of only telephone number or CPO Box is not allowed. Exact name of the SHPR /CNEE and address must be entered.

• Input of mere Forwarder is not allowed. Exact name of the SHPR/CNEE must be entered.

• Ambiguous or equivocal term should not be used. The prohibited Commodity List is appended to this FAQ.

Not Acceptable	Acceptable
Apparel Wearing Apparel Ladies' Apparel Men's Apparel	Clothing Shoes Footwear Jewelry (may include watches)
Appliances	Kitchen Appliances Industrial Appliances Heat Pump
Autoparts Parts	New Autoparts Used Autoparts
Caps	Baseball Caps Blasting Caps Bottle Caps Hub Caps
Chemicals, hazardous Chemicals, non-hazardous	Actual Chemical Name (not brand name) Or U.N. HAZMAT Code Identifier #
Electronic Goods Electronics	Computers Consumer Electronics, Telephones Electronic Toys (can include Gameboys, Game Cubes, Dancing Elmo Doll etc.) Personal/Household Electronics (i.e. PDA's, VCR's, TV's)
Equipment	Industrial Equipment, Oil Well Equipment Automotive Equipment, Poultry Equipment etc.
Flooring	Wood Flooring, Plastic Flooring, Carpet, Ceramic Tile, Marble Flooring
Foodstuffs	Oranges Fish Packaged Rice, Packaged Grain, Bulk Grain
Iron	Iron Pipes, Steel Pipes
Steel	Iron Building Material, Steel Building Material
Leather Articles	Saddles Leather Handbags Leather Jackets, Shoes
Machinery	Metal Working Machinery Cigarette Making Machinery
Machines	Sewing Machines Printing Machines
Pipes	Plastic Pipes PVC Pipes Steel Pipes Copper Pipes
Plastic Goods	Plastic Kitchenware, Plastic Houseware, Industrial Plastics Toys, New/Used Auto Parts
Polyurethane	Polyurethane Threads Polyurethane Medical Gloves
	Personal Effects Household Goods
Rubber Articles	Rubber Hoses Tires Toys Rubber Conveyor Belts
Rods	Welding Rods Rebar Aluminum Rods Reactor Rods
Scrap	Plastic Scrap Aluminum Scrap Iron Scrap
STC (Said to Contain) General Cargo FAK (Freight of All Kinds) "No Description"
Tiles	Ceramic Tiles Marble Tiles
Tools	Hand Tools Power Tools Industrial Tools
Wires	Electric Wires Auto Harness Coiled Wire (Industrial)

• All Consol must be entered as "CONSOL" or "CONSOLIDATION" only ("CNSL" is not allowed). For HAWB, "Precise Cargo Description" must be stated.

Related CBP Q and A

Q. If a Master Air Waybill record has only one associated House Air Waybill, can the carrier report this is as a simple Air Waybill?
A. No. When a Master Air Waybill references only one House Air Waybill, both the Master Air Waybill and the House Air Waybill must be reported

 

• Partial Shipment is NOT Prohibited. In the case of Partial shipment, exact PC, Manifest Data, AMS Data of Partial Cargo must be matched. Also, for BUC shipment, AWB must include exact information of cargo in ULD and Document. "Customs Pouch" must be submitted to the Carrier. It is strongly recommended to avoid Partial shipment of HAWB, and large shipments are strongly advised to be divided into seperate MAWB.
• "Customer Pouch" includes the following documents :
  • Consolidation List or HAWB copy
  • Consolidation List per Pallet (Cargo Location required in BUC or Skid )

• No. The itinerary of the Partial shipment should be identical.

Related CBP Q and A

Q. Since the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) cannot accommodate multiple flight arrival information for split shipments how can a single entry be filed for a split shipment and the proper freight status notifications be sent?

• CBP has an existing policy to allow a single entry to be filed for a split shipment provided that the conditions of part 141.57 of the Customs Regulations have been satisfied. If these conditions are satisfied, the entry filer must include additional information on the CBP Form 3461.
• For purposes of completing boxes 12, 13, 15, 16 and 17 of the CBP 3461, the filer will include the transportation information for the first portion of the split shipment. For the purposes of completing boxes 21, 22 and 23, the filer must enter all air waybills and the quantities for which a single entry or a special permit for immediate delivery are requested.In box 29, the filer will enter the following information for all portions of the split shipment covered by the single entry or special permit for immediate delivery:
  • Carrier Code
  • Flight Number
  • Arrival Date
  • Piece Count for that Arrival.
• In order to transmit an electronic permit to release for each portion of a split shipment, CBP must post such release to each portion covered by the single entry or special permit for immediate delivery. To effect such release, the importer must provide a copy of the CBP 3461 to CBP with the information noted above. If the release is to occur incrementally, the filer must provide such notification to CBP upon arrival of each portion of the shipment.  

• There are 2 ways of transmitting HAWB Data to the Carrier
  1. Using Intermediate local VAN System such as TRAXON, KTNET
     • Forwarders send Data to Intermediate System by using FIS, and Intermediated Service Provider sends data to Carriers according to Cargo IMP
     • Fee will be KRW 1,000 per HAWB (Korean Region Only). Other than Korea, transmission fee is subject to change based on local market policy. For more detailed information, please contact Korean Air Cargo local branch
     • For more information, please contact TRAXON ( 82-2-310 6413), KTNET ( 82-2-6000-2056)
  2. HAWB input by Carrier employee on receiving hard copy of HAWB ( Applicable in some Korean Air Stations outside of Korea )
     • Fowarders must agree to opening of the Document Pouch and certain amount of fee will be charged for the service.  
• Precaution in Sending AMS Data
  • HAWB Data must comply with Consolidation list (HAWB manifest).
  • Input of ’P1’, ’P2’ at the end of HAWB number to indicate Partial is not allowed.
  • AWB cannot be accepted without HAWB.

• The System Data takes preference to AWB Data since it is sent by EDI.

• 12 alphanumeric

Related CBP Q and A

Q. Is the AMS participant required to transmit all the alphanumeric characters as printed on the paper copy of the House Air Waybill?
A. Yes. The AMS participant is required to report the full House Air Waybill identifier as printed on the hard copy Air Waybill must be reported

 

• Please Input in MAWB Handling Information as following;
  • LOCAL TRANSFER AT DESTINATION TO WAREHOUSE E844" (If the FIRM CODE of the Bonded Warehouse is E844)
  • FIRMS : Facilities Information and Resources Management System

• Yes. Same method should be applied with separate FIRMS code for each Bonded Warehouse.

Related CBP Q and A

Q. If a Master Air Waybill record references split arrival information, must the carrier request #65AFAC and receive electronic authorization for each part of the split shipment?  
A. Yes. For each portion of the split Master Air Waybill that is transferred to another facility, the carrier must request and receive electronic transfer authorization. 

 

• Yes. For instance, KE281 bound for YYZ via ANC is subject to Air AMS based on FROB (Foreign Remaining On Board) regulations.

• Yes. For instance, cargo bound for CPH via ANC & JFK is subject to Air AMS. 

Related CBP Q and A
Q. Is AMS filing required for cargo that arrives aboard an aircraft, is not unladen and subsequently exported from the U.S. aboard the same aircraft?  
A. Yes. Such cargo meets the definition of Foreign Cargo Remaining on Board (FROB). AMS will include a new indicator in the transfer line for purposes of identifying such cargo as FROB. (TRN/R) This indicator will be used for simple and Master Air Waybill records. House Air Waybill records must be reported for consolidated shipments even though the FROB indicator need not be used for the House Air Waybill records. The FROB indicator at the Master Air Waybill level will be applied to all associated House Air Waybills.  

 

• AMS Deconsolidator is a member of CBP that has acquired FIRMS code, and thus authorized to send House Data directly to CBP System. Carriers has no obligations to send House Data of AMS Deconsolidator.
• FIRMS : Facilities Information and Resources Management System

• On 'Handling Information of MAWB', the forwarder should input following data and submit ;
• HOUSE INFORMATION TRANSMITTED BY Y807 "(If the FIRMS CODE is Y807) 

• In general, Partial Shipment is prohibited in AMS Deconsolidator.
• In case of Partial shipment the Deconsolidator should submit
  • "CUSTOMS Pouch" containing following information to the Carrier (Pouch should be submitted with the AWB)
  • HAWB (CONSOLIDATION) MANIFEST or HAWB Hard Copies
  • Consolidation MFST per pallet : Submit HAWB information on SKID or BUC pallet
• example : HAWB BAX11111/34PC-PMC1234KE/20PC, PMC2345KE/14PC

• AMS Deconsolidators does not have to reveal internal classified information, and can also receive prompt reply from CBP. 
• Related CBP Answer
• By providing house-level air waybill information directly to CBP, an eligible voluntary AMS participant need not disclose to the carrier those data elements of the House Air Waybill related to the shipper and consignee. Many such parties consider this information to be business proprietary information, which it would prefer to report directly to CBP without having to so disclose to the carrier. In addition, voluntary participants would be able to request in-bond authorization at the House Air Waybill level through AMS. Finally, a Container Freight Station (CFS) or Express Consignment Carrier Facility (ECCF) hat voluntarily participates in AMS would receive electronic Freight Status Notification (FSN) messages related to CBP processing of entries for cargo located at its facility .  

Destination	FORWARDER COMPANY	FIRMS CODE
LAX	BAX GLOBAL	Y807
	DHL AIRWAY	Y366
	MENLO (EMERY WORLDWIDE)	Y520
ORD	EMERY	I309
BAX	K385
SFO	BAX	W707
DFW	BAX	T755
	MENLO	T284
ATL	Cargo UK	N437 (Till 27OCT, after that date will discontinue to be AMS)
	Menlo	L825
	BAX	L835
	Nippon	N503
	Danzas	L822
PDX	NIL	NIL

JFK (Red letters are mostly HKG BUC)

COMPANY NAME	TEL. NO	FIRM CODE	REMARKS
AIF	718 341-2366	F254	IF SHIPMENT IS (BUC)
ACE CARGO EXPRESS	718-553-6394	F579
AIR CITY	718-949-2900	E875	SHIPMENT FROM HKG & SEL
AIR TIGER	718-917-6700	CALL	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
AIR SEA trANSPORT		F661
AIR GATE	718-949-9700	CALL	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
		E879	IF SHIPMENT IS FOR BLUE STAR
		F661	FOR TAHARI SHIPMENTS OUT OF SEL & DLC CHINA
		F565	IF SHIPMENT IS FOR DSK or DAYTON INDUStrIES ONLY
		E857	CONSOL SHPTS MIXED OTHER CNEE INFO (INCLUDING DSK & DAYTON)
AIRBORNE EXPRESS	516-239-1075	E803
ASIANA EXPRESS	718-525-6665	F250	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
AGI	718 528-1200	F565	FOR CNEE DSK INDUStrIES, DAYTON IND, TOMMY HILFIGER
BAX GLOBAL	718 656-6500	F542	IF HOUSE CNEE ANN TAYLOR
		E920	IF HOUSE CNEE LIZ CLAIRBORNE
		CALL	FOR ALL OTHER SHIPMENTS
COSMO EXPRESS	718 977-3000	F678
CTSI		FAX	NOMINATE ACCORDING TO FAXED REQUEST
CIRCLE INT'L	516-620-6173	F401	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
CARGO CONNECTION	718-995-0600	F533
DART EXPRESS	718-978-6444	F199	SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
DHL WORLDWIDE	718-995-0001	E852
DHL DANZAS AIR	718-244-3000	E803	ALWAYS NOMINATE (BUT KEEP HOUSES)
EGL EAGLE GLOBAL		F401
EXPEDITORS	516-371-3330	F468	SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
EXEL GLOBAL LOG	718-995-7131	E879	ALWAYS NOMINATE(WL NTFY KE IF NOT)
E & K FREIGHT		E920	LD3 GOH FROM DALIAN TAO CHINA
FAUNA & FLORA	718-244-0200	F631
FEDEX trADE NETWORK		F254	BUC ONLY
G.F.AIR (GLORY FREIGHT)	718-656-6200	F437	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
GOOD ONE EXPRESS	718-527-1363	E789	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
GSP LOGISTICS / SONY		F534	IF HOUSE CNEE SONY TECHNOLOGY
HANKYU INT'L	718-656-6265	CALL	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
HECNY trANSPORTATION		E879	IF SHIPMENT IS FOR JONES APPAREL OR KASPER
IBI ARMORED		F586
IFS AIR CARGO INC		F514	ALL SHPTS OUT OF HKG
INTL DELIVERY SERVICE		F579
KESCO SHIPPINT	718-656-4800	F250	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
		E879	IF CNEE IS FOR KASPER
MORRISON EXPRESS	718-656-6367	CALL	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
MARKET PIONEER		E789	3 OR MORE HOUSES
OIA GLOBAL LOG	718-656-7608	E879 or E789	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)WL ADV WHICH CFS
ORIENTAL AIR		F199	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
PORT BROKERS	718-723-8210	E785	ALWAYS NOMINATE
PHEONIX INTL	718 341-2074	F254
JAS FORWARDING		CALL	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
REPUBLIC CARGO	718-244-0800	F565	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
SDB (SAVINO DEL BENE)	718-917- 8755	F229	ALWAYS NOMINATE
SPEEDMARK	718-527-0001	E920	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
TOP LINE EXPRESS	718-995-4430	CALL	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
UPS FREIGHT	718-481-4400	E789	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
K-LINE	516-561-8900	F421	NOMINATE IF SHPT FROM HKG (BUC)
UTOPIA	718-995-4990	F488	IF SHIPMENT COME AS BUC
RICAL LOGISTICS	718-656-5443	E819	IF SHIPMENT FROM HKG (BUC)
RICAL LOGISTICQ		CALL	IF HOUSE CNEE TO J CREW
VIZION LOGISTICS		CALL	TO CONFIRM IF W/W OR NOT
WORLD WIDE trADE LOGISTICS	718 525-7178	F625
WOOJIN AIR CONSLDtr		F194	ALL BUC SHIPMENT
WEN PARKER	718-553-2828	F534
UNION trANSPORT (UTI)	516 394-6400	E920	IF HOUSE CNEE LIZ CLAIRBORNE
		F542	IF HOUSE CNEE ANN TAYLOR
		F533	IF HOUSE CNEE MAST INDUStrIES