CBP's FAQ on Mandatory Advance Electronic Information Requirements for Inbound Air Cargo

(Although the actual title of this FAQ is "Air Automated Manifest System Frequently Asked Questions," it is listed on CBP's Web site as "Air FAQs on the Trade Act of 2002 - Mandatory Advanced Electronic Cargo Information.")

This is Part V of a multi-part series of summaries on this FAQ, and highlights FAQs 13 and 14. See future issues of ITT for additional summaries.

FAQ 13 - In-Bond Authorization

Air AMS participants (other than air carriers) that request in-bond authorization. According to CBP, when an Air Automated Manifest System (AMS) participant other than an air carrierrequests in-bond authorization in Air AMS, they must indicate the air carrier code of an onward air carrier or the bonded carrier identification number. (See FAQ for the specific identification number format.)

Paper Form 7512 may still be submitted. CBP states that if a party does not transmit Air AMS information for a particular shipment, it may still submit a paper CBP Form 7512 document to request an in-bond movement. For example, an air carrier may transmit an air waybill record to Air AMS for the initial transportation from a foreign location to the U.S., and another party that did not transmit Air AMS information for the shipment may file a CBP Form 7512 to request in-bond movement authorization.

Canceling in-bond record after authorization has been received. CBP states that if an in-bond authorization message has already been received, the in-bond record (authorization) can be cancelled through Air AMS. (See FAQ for procedures for canceling the in-bond, as well as permit to transfer, authorization.)

Freight status notifications. According to CBP, electronic in-bond movement authorization freight status notification messages are transmitted to the Air AMS participant in custody of the cargo. (See FAQ for procedures.)

Notification of cargo arrival at in-bond destination port. In response to a question asking, if electronic in-bond authorization is received at the in-bond origin port, how does the bonded carrier notify CBP of the in-bond arrival at the destination port, CBP states that an Air AMS participant that is also a participant at the in-bond destination port may electronically notify CBP of the in-bond arrival by transmitting a freight status notification message to CBP upon arrival of the cargo at the in-bond destination port.

Alternatively, if an Air AMS participant is not an Air AMS participant at the in-bond destination port, it must present one of two paper documents detailed in the FAQ to CBP at the destination port. (See FAQ for details on these two paper documents.)

FAQ 14 - Permits to Transfer (Local Transfer)

Carriers must request permits to transfer through Air AMS. CBP states that an Air AMS carrier is required to request a permit to transfer electronically through Air AMS. CBP explains that its December 5, 2003 final rule requires that the local transfer destination facility must be provided electronically through Air AMS. The local transfer destination facility may be a Container Freight Station (CFS)/Express Consignment Carrier Facility (ECCF) identified by a Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code, or another air carrier identified by its carrier code.

Split shipments. According to CBP, if a master air waybill record references split arrival information, the carrier must request and receive electronic authorization for each portion of the split master air waybill that is transferred to another facility.

To whom local transfer authorization messages are sent. CBP states that Air AMS transmits local transfer authorization messages to the carrier requesting the permit to transfer and the facility to which the cargo will be transferred if that facility is also an Air AMS participant at that port.

Electronic permit to transfer eliminates need for paper copy. CBP indicates that if a permit to transfer is approved electronically through Air AMS, a paper copy of the permit to transfer does not need to be presented to CBP for authorization before the cargo may be so transferred.

Freight status notifications will not be transmitted after cargo reaches non-Air AMS facility. According to CBP, if cargo is transferred to a CFS, ECCF, or another air carrier that is not an Air AMS participant in the port, Air AMS does not continue to transmit electronic freight status notification messages. CBP explains that once the cargo is transferred to a facility that is not an Air AMS participant, Air AMS will no longer transmit freight status notifications. The facility that is the cargo custodian at that point must receive paper delivery authorization documents for the release of the cargo.

(See ITT's Online Archives or 04/08/04, 04/16/04, 04/19/04, and 04/20/04 news, 04040805, 04041605, 04041915, and 04042010 for Parts I-IV of this series of summaries on this FAQ.)

CBP's air cargo FAQ (dated 04/01/04) available at http://www.cbp.gov/ImageCache/cgov/content/import/communications_5fto_5ftrade/mandatory_5fadvanced_5felectronics/air_5ffaq_5fcargo_2edoc/v1/air_5ffaq_5fcargo.doc