Using a unique bill of lading number, manifest data can be transmitted electronically for all cargo enroute to the United States prior to vessel arrival. This allows Customs an opportunity to review the submitted documentation and determine, in advance, whether the merchandise merits examination or whether to release it immediately upon arrival.

The carrier, upon receiving a provisional release from Customs, is able to make decisions on staging cargo and the importer can arrange for examination, release, and further distribution of the merchandise. All of this can be accomplished before the merchandise actually arrives.

Participation by MVOCC’s in Sea AMS is mandatory, per the implementation of the Trade Act of 2002.

Sea AMS Features
Auto Arrival
All MVOCC’s are required to arrive their own vessels at each discharge ports.

Secondary Notify Party
Carriers can designate, by SCAC or FIRMS code, up to eight additional AMS participants per bill of lading to receive status notifications. They can update bills of lading with arrival and export data for cargo moving on a paperless master in-bond, and request Permits to Transfer electronically for in-port cargo movements.

Port Authority Interface
Port Authorities play a major role within the cargo release network. Port authorities receive manifest information for AMS vessels calling at their ports, as well as bill of lading status reports. In addition, they receive information on in-bond bills enroute to the ports, reports of non-AMS shipment releases, and reports of hazardous material shipments transiting the ports. This allows them to make the information available to all concerned parties.

Paperless Master In-bond (MIB) Reporting
Carriers approved as paperless MIB participants can transmit bill of lading and in-bond data and receive electronic authorization to move the shipment in-bond to a paperless destination port without preparing a CF-7512, Record of In-bond Movement. Paperless reporting can be done for Immediate Transportation (IT), Transportation and Exportation (T&E), and Immediate Export (IE) cargo movements. Additionally, participants can electronically update these movements with arrival and export data.

Sea AMS Communications
Sea AMS participants must procure the necessary equipment and software and are responsible for all costs. Network access is available by using an approved CBP communications option. They are as follows:

• Public Internet Cisco VPN/MQ Series via a client provisioned Internet Service Provider (ISP) connection,
• Sprint or Verizon Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) VPN a private Cisco VPN/MQSeries solution,
• Service Center,
• VAN (value-added network.)

Where an ISP is not accessible, VPN via toll free dial-up will be available.