For more details on AMS, see Customs Automated Manifest System page.

Sea AMS
Sea AMS allows participants to transmit manifest data electronically prior to vessel arrival. Customs can then determine in advance whether the merchandise merits examination or immediate release. Upon receiving notification from Customs, the carrier can make decisions on staging cargo and the importer can arrange for examination, release, and distribution of the merchandise. All of this can be accomplished before the vessel arrives. Sea AMS allows you to communicate with other AMS participants, other government agencies, container freight stations, and non-vessel commercial carriers.

With Sea AMS you can:

• File inward manifest data electronically using Customs syntax (CAMIR) or industry standard syntax ANSI ASC X12.
• Get electronic cargo release days before vessel arrival.
• Benefit from electronic arrival of a vessel at each port of call.
• Amend, delete, or re-add bill of lading data electronically.
• Participate in Paperless Master In-bond program.
• Receive electronic in-bond authorizations.
• Designate secondary parties to receive carrier status notifications: designate AMS service center, FIRMS location, rail carrier, truck carrier, terminal operator, or another ocean carrier.
• Transfer custodial bond liability electronically.
• Request and receive electronic authorizations for Permits to Transfer (PTT).
• Receive notification of APHIS, other government agency, and Customs holds.
• Receive batch numbers with transmissions from AMS to enhance tracking ability.

For more details on Sea AMS, see Customs Automated Manifest System page's section on Sea AMS.

Air AMS
Air AMS allows carriers to "arrive" an in-bond shipment and to file in-bond, permit to proceed, and local transfers electronically. The carrier obtains notifications of releases, in-bond authorizations, general order, permit to proceed, and local transfer authorization upon flight departure or arrival from the last foreign port. Air waybill data can be transmitted in any sequence. Carriers have the option to transmit bills at random or group them by flight. Amendments to any air waybill information can also be transmitted electronically through AMS. Air AMS increases data reliability and electronic enforcement capability by standardizing the way the trade community and Customs communicate.

With Air AMS you can:

• File and amend air waybills electronically.
• Communicate flight departures electronically.
• File permit to proceed, in-bond, and local transfers electronically, often in the original bill.
• Arrive an in-bond shipment at the port of destination.
• Use the air waybill number as the in-bond control number.
• Designate a freight forwarder or deconsolidator to act as an agent for the carrier.
• Receive cargo status notifications as soon as Customs is notified that the flight has departed from the last foreign port.
• Designate cargo as General Order through AMS.
• Use the air waybill number as the in-bond number.
• Receive electronic authorization from the initial arrival port to the final destination.
• Freight Forwarders and Deconsolidators can:
  • File air waybill information electroniclaly for non-automated air carriers.
  • Update existing air manifest data once designated as an agent by the carrier.
  • Receive all cargo status notifications for the non-automated carriers serviced.

For more details on Air AMS, see Customs Automated Manifest System page's section on Air AMS.

Rail AMS
Rail AMS is a cargo release notification system for rail carriers. Using a unique bill of lading number, the rail carrier electronically transmits bill information to Customs. When all bills on a train are assigned, the rail carrier transmits a "consist" of the bills and containers in standing car order. This allows Customs an opportunity to review the submitted documentation and determine, in advance, whether the merchandise merits examination or release. The carrier, upon receiving a 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.

The Department of Agriculture has access to Rail AMS to review manifest data electronically and perform other functions. Similar capability is planned for other agencies in the future.

With Rail AMS you can:

• Send Customs a "train enroute, one hour out" message within one-hour of reaching the border. This prompts Customs to release the carrier's status messages.
• Participate in automated Line Release. The carrier sends the C4 code (the bar code used in the Line Release system) before arrival. The bar code does not need to be read upon arrival, saving time for the carrier.
• Receive electronic authorization for multi-transit border or in-transit border moves.
• Specify a broker in the bill of lading--the broker will then receive the bill of lading in Customs CATAIR format, as well as status notifications pertaining to the bill.
• File inward manifest data electronically using Customs syntax (CAMIR) or Sea Manifest syntax ASC X.12.
• Amend, delete, or re-add bill of lading data electronically.
• Participate in Paperless Master In-bond program.
• Receive electronic in-bond authorizations.
• Designate secondary parties to receive carrier status notifications.
• Receive notification of APHIS, other government agency, and Customs holds and removals.