What are ACI & AMS?

ACI (Advance Commercial Information) requires key data to be transmitted electronically before the goods are loaded in the port of departure. ACI will be implemented in phases. Effective April 19 2004, marine carriers will be required to electronically transmit marine cargo data to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) 24 hours prior to the loading of the cargo in the foreign port. Future phases of ACI will require advance electronic cargo and conveyance information for all transportation modes.

ACI requires shipment information to be electronically transmitted to CBSA before the goods are loaded in the port of departure.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implemented the AMS (Automated Manifest System) regulations in December 2002 that affects containerized ocean-going cargo bound for U.S. ports of call. As a result, shippers, carriers, and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs) must have implemented a new business model that favors electronic data transfer, and requires information to be electronically submitted within 24 hours prior to a U.S.-bound cargo ship's departure from its port of origin.