Air Automated Manifest System (Air AMS) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

AMS is an abbreviation of Automated Manifest System, an electronic transmission system to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before the arrival of cargo in U.S. territory. Air AMS is an advanced security filing that originally began to simplify customs procedures for the air mode of transport; however, the focus has shifted to inspecting cargo to tighten security measures.

For each irregularity, a fine of U.S. $5,000 to $10,000 may be imposed on the air carrier. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulation §122.48[c][3], the carrier could seek re-compensation from the agent. The cases that are subject to penalty include an omission of a transmission, an inaccurate filing, or a false report of embargoed items.

No. Air AMS is the advanced security filing, and Type 86 is the customs declaration or customs entry. More specifically, Entry Type 86 is an entry type for the filing and electronic release of eCommerce shipments that qualify under the di minimus level. The customs broker will upload the Air AMS manifest information at the house bill (HAWB) level, and then submit the Type 86 filing to CBP. Both processes may be performed in software solutions such as Descartes NetCHB.

Forwarders are not required to register with CBP for Air AMS, and House Air Waybill (HAWB) data can be transmitted via other methods. However, AMS de-consolidators should complete the registration process to acquire a Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code from CBP.

Public aircraft, private aircraft, and charter flights operated by the U.S. government do not need to file Air AMS.

All U.S. mainland cities, as well as Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) and Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL), require an Air AMS filing.

Shipments to Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake Island, Midway Islands, and Johnston Atoll do not require an Air AMS filing.

Air AMS data should be sent to CBP no later than 4 hours before the arrival at the first station (airport) in U.S. territory. The first departure station should transmit Air AMS data to CBP.

The incoming air carrier is required to provide information through Air AMS when the aircraft is required to enter and there is commercial cargo aboard the airplane.

The information supplied by the incoming carrier may be supplemented by additional information provided by four other eligible parties including the:
• Automated Broker Interface (ABI) Filer (importer self-filer or customs broker)
• Container Freight Station (CFS)
• Express Consignment Carrier Facility (ECCF)
• Air carrier that arranged to have the incoming air carrier transport the cargo

In the below scenario, information can seamlessly flow from Air AMS participants through the Descartes Air AMS™ platform. Data is subsequently pared and validated before transmission to U.S. CBP, and status messaging flows through the Descartes system back to in-house or other back-office systems for actioning.

By providing house-level air waybill information directly to CBP, an eligible Air AMS participant does not need to disclose to the carrier house air waybill data regarding the shipper and the consignee. Many consider this information to be proprietary and prefer to report this data directly to CBP without having to share the information with the carrier.

In addition, voluntary participants can request in-bond authorization at the house air waybill level through Air AMS. Finally, a CFS or ECCF that voluntarily participates in Air AMS would receive electronic Freight Status Notification (FSN) messages regarding the processing of entries for cargo located at their facility.

To file advance electronic cargo information in Air AMS, a Container Freight Station (CFS) operator or an ECCF must have an international carrier’s bond (activity code type 3). To file advance electronic cargo information in Air AMS, an ABI filer must have an importer’s bond (activity code type 1).

A bond may be obtained from a U.S. Department of the Treasury-approved surety company. A current list of such approved surety companies may be found on the U.S. Treasury website. The amount of the bond is set by the port director where the bond has been filed. The minimum bond amount has been set at $50,000 but the port director may require a higher amount.

The Customs Automated Manifest Interface Requirements-Air (CAMIR-AIR) is the U.S. CBP source document for electronic data interchange between CBP and Air AMS participants. Service providers such as Descartes are actively involved in providing feedback regarding the technical aspects of the CAMIR-AIR data elements.