Electronic Air Waybill Transmission
Per CBP Regulations, 122.48a Electronic information for air cargo required in advance of arrival, CBP must electronically receive from the inbound air carrier and, if applicable, an approved party, information concerning the incoming cargo.
For non-consolidated shipments, the incoming air carrier must transmit to CBP all of the information for the air waybill record.
For consolidated shipments: the incoming air carrier must transmit to CBP the information that is applicable to the master air waybill; and the air carrier must transmit cargo information for all associated house air waybills, unless another party electronically transmits this information directly to CBP. Additional cargo information from air carrier; split shipment.
When the incoming air carrier elects to transport cargo covered under a single consolidated air waybill on more than one aircraft as a split shipment, the carrier must report additional information for each house air waybill covered under the consolidation pertaining to the routing of the flight each house shipment, and must also provide detailed house shipment information unless this information is provided to CBP by an approved party.
CBP must receive such information no later than the time frame prescribed by 19 CFR 122.48a, paragraph b) Time frame for presenting data. (1) Nearby foreign areas. In the case of aircraft under paragraph (a) of this section that depart for the United States from any foreign port or place in North America, including locations in Mexico, Central America, South America (from north of the Equator only), the Caribbean, and Bermuda, CBP must receive the required cargo information no later than the time of the departure of the aircraft for the United States (the trigger time is no later than the time that wheels are up on the aircraft, and the aircraft is en route directly to the United States).
For further information, please refer to the Air Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Trade Act of 2002 - Mandatory Advanced Electronic Cargo Information document.
Open to Deconsolidators, CBP ABI entry filer-Freight Forwarders, and Service Centers
Deconsolidators or CBP ABI entry filer-freight forwarders in possession of an appropriate Customs Bond, may transmit house shipment information (without routing detail) to CBP Air AMS independent of Master AWB information required to be transmitted by incoming air carrier. In this case, the incoming air carrier must indicate (with the Master AWB information) the deconsolidator facility (FIRMs) code or BCBP+ABI filer code (AGT code) of the party providing consolidated shipment information directly to CBP.
The deconsolidator receives Freight Status Notification (FSN) messages referencing consolidated shipments after Master AWB transfer detail has been submitted by the incoming air carrier. Service Centers transmit air waybill data electronically on behalf of participants. They provide full air waybill data, which allows other smaller entities to participate in the Air AMS program.
Cargo Status Notifications
Air AMS participants receive electronic cargo status notification as soon as CBP is notified that the flight has departed from the last foreign port, or the flight has been arrived by CBP.
In-bond
For cargo that is proceeding to destinations other than the initial port of entry, the in-bond transfer detail transmitted to Air AMS by the incoming air carrier for the Master AWB, or by the deconsolidator in possession of the consolidation or CBP ABI entry filer providing consolidated house shipment information, is the most expedient means of obtaining CBP in-bond movement authorization electronically from Air AMS. In this case, the bonded carrier presents the paper in-bond document to CBP Cargo upon arrival of the shipment at the in-bond destination port in the event they cannot report the arrival of in-bond cargo electronically via Air AMS.
The airway bill number (AWB Prefix must be numeric) can be used as the in-bond control number for non-consolidated or consolidations arriving intact via one flight, but only for the first part-arrival boarded quantity in the event the non-consolidated shipment or consolidation (Master AWB) is split by the incoming air carrier to arrive in the U.S. via multiple flights. A conventional CBPF-7512 in-bond number is required for subsequent part-arrival boarded quantity and for in-bond transfer of a shipment identified to the house bill level.
Freight Status Information (FSI) Messages
This feature was added to Air AMS to enable the CBP entry filer-freight forwarder providing advance house shipment information, (nominated as an agent for specific Master air waybills), and not in possession of cargo at a CBP bonded facility to receive cargo status information at the time of transaction processing. The Freight Status Notification (FSN) message, routed to the cargo custodian (carrier or deconsolidator), is the authorization to move or release cargo, while the Freight Status Information message is intended for informational purposes only.
Air AMS Communications
Air AMS communications sources include the use of ARINC or SITA. Network access is also available by using one of the approved CBP communication options as described on the CBP Connectivity Information page.