The process of declaring AMS goods to the US – Automated cargo control declaration system
Indispensable procedures for goods before loading on ships to the US.
1. Declare AMS (Automatic Manifest System):
AMS (Automated Manifest System) is a declaration system that controls goods transported by all modes of import and export as well as within the United States established by the US Customs and Border Protection.
Information of orders exported to the US must be declared to US Customs 48 hours before the cargo ship departs from the transshipment port to the US (must match AMS before ETD of the mother ship – Mother Vessel – 48 hours).
The exporter is obliged to declare this information while the goods are still at the port of loading. However, the AMS declaration can be made by freight forwarding companies.
The procedure will be completed quickly at a cost of about $ 25 for an order.
Why are so many units with AMS files still being charged this fee?
=> AMS is a mandatory declaration procedure, shipping lines will file AMS for Master Bill, and NVOCCs ((shippers who do not have ships)) AMS file for HBL that they issue.
Therefore, even though NVOCCs themselves AMS files, there is always an AMS fee on the debit note/invoice of the shipping line: this is the AMS file fee for MBL.
2. ISF (Importer Security Filing) declaration:
Not only the exporter needs to declare information to the Customs, but also the importer needs to do this. ISF declaration requires importers in the US to declare information such as: importer information, manufacturer, commodity code, carrier, etc. ISF declaration usually takes place at the same time as AMS declaration. . This declaration can also be made by freight forwarding companies at a cost of about $ 25.
Not only goods exported to the US must have an ISF file, but even goods arriving in the US (with or without lowering the container), your goods still have to declare ISF (5 + 2) in full according to regulations.
Learn more about US ISF declaration
3. Container scanning (X-Ray):
US Customs will apply container screening to those containers that they suspect about security or simply random inspection.
⇒Because of these strict procedures, exporting goods to the US faced many difficulties when declaring and completing the procedures.
In particular, currently some shipping lines such as Maersk, Wanhai apply a direct route from Cai Mep to the US, so the pressure of procedures is heavier.
For example, if the ship’s departure date is Wednesday, then around Monday, the exporters will tow the container to pack the goods, but the declaration must be completed from the previous Saturday.
The Automated Manifest System (AMS) declaration system came into effect in the United States from March 2004 and is a mandatory step for goods sent to the US by sea and other modes of transportation (this article will focus mainly on sea routes).
This system is directly connected to the system of the US customs office, so the shippers / shipping lines must absolutely comply with the declaration time.
Scope of application AMS declaration is required for all cargo ships to and from US ports, including surrounding islands.
Why is there an AMS declaration procedure:
After the terrorist events of September 11, 2001, the United States increasingly tightened safety measures in transporting goods. Experts assess that ships can easily become new targets of terrorism, because the operation of container ships is closely related to the trade process between countries, through many seaports and shipping. variety of goods. Since then, the US Maritime Transportation Security Act (US Maritime Transportation Security Act) was born to improve the safety of goods when entering and leaving the US territory by sea, air, and other routes. other modes of transport. The law was approved in 2002, requiring all goods traded to/from the US to be fully declared by electronic methods. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for implementing this law.
Notes on AMS . declaration
1. AMS declarer:
The parties directly involved in the AMS declaration process include the actual carrier (shipping lines) and the NVOCCs (the non-vessel carriers).
Shipping lines declare AMS for Master B/L
Forwarder declares AMS for House B/L.
In order for Forwarders to have the right to ship goods to the US and declare AMS, they need a valid license issued by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).
2. Deadline for AMS submission:
The submission of AMS must be done at least 48 hours before the departure of the mother ship from the final transshipment port (48 hours before the goods leave the port of departure if the vessel is not transshipped).
The declarant is free to amend all information before the above deadline.
An exception to the AMS . declaration deadline
For bulk cargo such as oil, grain, steel ore, or food, or breakbulk (cargo carried in crates, bales, pallets, but not in containers) an electronic AMS declaration must be submitted at least 24 hours before the goods arrive at the first port in the US.
An exception to the AMS . declaration deadline
open in cartons, bales, pallets, but not in containers) must submit an electronic AMS declaration at least 24 hours before the cargo arrives at the first port of call in the United States.
3. Types of AMS:
Regular AMS (regular AMS): The information on the AMS is identical to the information on the MBL/SI. This shipment will only have Master B/L, without House B/L.
Not regular AMS: Information on AMS is different from information on MBL. The shipment will have both Master B/L and House B/L (usually applied to shipments going through the Forwarder)
Self-filer: The customer is responsible for declaring and submitting the AMS, after that, the customer will send to the shipping line information about the customer’s SCAC code and House B/L number
4. Contents of AMS . declaration
Specifically: Shipping lines/NVOCCs must fill in all information about the cargo, container and mother vessel with the following specific details:
Information about goods
– The bill of lading number of the shipment.
Note, the bill of lading number when declaring AMS will have to start with the SCAC code.
– Type of goods: FCL or LCL.
– Full name and address of the sender stated on the bill of lading.
– Full name and address of the consignee stated on the bill of lading.
Full description of goods: gross weight, volume, 6-digit HS code of the goods, type of goods and descriptions recorded in the bill of lading of the shipment.
– The weight of the parcel of goods.
– Marking for packages (especially for LCL goods).
– Fill in the necessary information if it is dangerous goods.
– SCAC code – Standard Carrier Alpha Code: Is a code issued by the US to all shipping lines to distinguish carriers from each other.
Normally, SCAC code consists of 04 letters, applied to documents such as bills of lading, AMS, etc.
For example: SCAC code of ONE: ONEY; COSCO shipping lines: COSU; Evergreen: EGLV, Wanhai: WHLC…
Information about containers:
Number of containers
Lead number per container
Information about mother ship:
(a) Route:
Place of Receipt
Port of Loading
Port of Discharge Port of Discharge
Final destination
(b) Ship information:
SCAC Code of the shipping line (SCAC Code)
Ship Name (Mother Vessel)
Train number (Voyage No.),
Vessel Flag,
IMO Number (IMO Number)
(c) Time information:
The time is equivalent to the time the ship departs, the ship arrives at the transshipment port, the ship unloads, the ship arrives at the final destination…
5. Fees for AMS declaration:
An exception to the AMS . declaration deadline
For bulk cargo such as oil, grain, steel ore, or food, or breakbulk (cargo carried in crates, bales, pallets, but not in containers) an electronic AMS declaration must be submitted at least 24 hours before the goods arrive at the first port in the US.
3. Types of AMS:
Regular AMS (regular AMS): The information on the AMS is identical to the information on the MBL/SI. This shipment will only have Master B/L, without House B/L.
Not regular AMS: Information on AMS is different from information on MBL. The shipment will have both Master B/L and House B/L (usually applied to shipments going through the Forwarder)
Self-filer: The customer is responsible for declaring and submitting the AMS, after that, the customer will send to the shipping line information about the customer’s SCAC code and House B/L number
4. Contents of AMS . declaration
Specifically: Shipping lines/NVOCCs must fill in all information about the cargo, container and mother vessel with the following specific details:
Information about goods
– The bill of lading number of the shipment.
Note, the bill of lading number when declaring AMS will have to start with the SCAC code.
– Type of goods: FCL or LCL.
– Full name and address of the sender stated on the bill of lading.
– Full name and address of the consignee stated on the bill of lading.
Full description of goods: gross weight, volume, 6-digit HS code of the goods, type of goods and descriptions recorded in the bill of lading of the shipment.
– The weight of the parcel of goods.
– Marking for packages (especially for LCL goods).
– Fill in the necessary information if it is dangerous goods.
– SCAC code – Standard Carrier Alpha Code: Is a code issued by the US to all shipping lines to distinguish carriers from each other.
Normally, SCAC code consists of 04 letters, applied to documents such as bills of lading, AMS, etc.
For example: SCAC code of ONE: ONEY; COSCO shipping lines: COSU; Evergreen: EGLV, Wanhai: WHLC…
Information about containers:
Number of containers
Lead number per container
Information about mother ship:
(a) Route:
Place of Receipt
Port of Loading
Port of Discharge Port of Discharge
Final destination
(b) Ship information:
SCAC Code of the shipping line (SCAC Code)
Ship Name (Mother Vessel)
Train number (Voyage No.),
Vessel Flag,
IMO Number (IMO Number)
(c) Time information:
The time is equivalent to the time the ship departs, the ship arrives at the transshipment port, the ship unloads, the ship arrives at the final destination…
5. Fees for AMS declaration:
The fee usually ranges from US $25 – $35 depending on the shipping line, and applies to the entire shipment (not calculated by the number of containers but by the number of bills of lading).
6. AMS declaration methods:
Shipping lines/NVOCCs can choose from some legal software to declare AMS.
Some shipping lines and carriers may perform the declaration process through a third party. In this case, the shipping line/NVOCC or agent will must send the necessary details to the third party.
7. Sanctions for non-compliance with AMS rules and deadlines:
Compliance with the 24-hour customs declaration rule is critical for all shipments to or from the United States.
As mentioned above, AMS MBL (file carrier file) and AMS HBL (usually NVOCC file), these 2 AMS must match before the goods can be loaded onto the mother ship at the port of transfer, if by the deadline, AMS does not match: your goods will be held at the transshipment port, and will be subject to a lot of penalty fees + storage.
If the shipping line/NVOCC does not strictly comply with this regulation, CBP will issue penalties such as refusing the ship’s declaration, imposing a significant fine, banning the vessel from docking, not allowing the container to be unloaded at the port, and even confiscated the ship.