The Automated Manifest System, or AMS, is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection computerized information transfer system (CBP). It was created to collect thorough information on goods shipped into the country. As a security safeguard, all air, rail, and ocean shipments entering the United States must be accompanied by an AMS file, including full information about the cargo. The necessary data is required to be uploaded 24 hours before the shipment departs from the point of origin.
Requirements of AMS
Shipments that arrive in the United States without being alerted by the automated manifest system are removed at the exporter’s cost and returned to where they came from. Failure to satisfy customs requirements for documentation and timelines may result in a fine of up to $10,000 per contravention.
The following is the information required during the AMS process.
- Details of the sender and recipient, including full names and addresses
- Ship name, SCAC code, and information on country of origin
- Name of the custom broker
- Name of product in transit including number and weight
- Value of the products and currency
- Loading port details
- Data on the first and last port that the freight enters before reaching the U.S.
- Notice of any hazardous materials included in the load
- Arrival timelines
- Container number and seal number
What Are The Advantages of AMS?
- Efficient customs clearance of products through electronic means: This is made possible through accurate and punctual data entry. In this case, it dynamizes the flow of goods and decreases downtime.
- It enables quicker handling of information, making document archiving simpler. As a result, it minimizes superfluous bureaucratic processes.
- Furthermore, it ensures an efficient flow of information required to detect potentially harmful cargoes. This ensures a high degree of security and prohibits smuggling in violation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) standards.
