Automated Commercial System (ACS)

As shipments of raw materials, parts, and finished goods cross national borders, they must pass through customs. Today, the United States Customs Service allows shippers and consignees to submit customs declarations and receive customs releases electronically. In April 2007, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began rolling out an electronic cargo manifest program called the Automated Commercial System (ACS) program. It requires that all truck shipments crossing into the United States from Canada and Mexico declare their contents before the truck arrives at the border. e-Manifests are mandatory at all land border crossings with penalty fees implemented to those not complying. For more information about ACS, please visit the U.S Customs Border and Petrol CBP Web site.

To access the electronic interface of this system, ACS provides an Automated Broker Interface (ABI) through which users can send and receive customs filing.

Automated Broker Interface (ABI)
The Automated Broker Interface is an integral part of ACS that permits qualified participants to file import data electronically with Customs. ABI is a voluntary program available to brokers, importers, carriers, port authorities, and independent service centers. Currently, over 96% of all entries are filed through ABI.

ABI expedites the release of merchandise for the trade community. Entry summaries are electronically transmitted, validated, confirmed, corrected, and paid. Administrative messages keep participants informed of all current information and issues.

Participants can query quota status, visa requirements, manufacturer information, and entry/entry summary processing status. ABI allows filers to pay multiple entries with one payment transaction through statement processing. ABI filers can also pay Customs duties, fees, and taxes electronically through the Automated Clearinghouse (ACH).

Integration Requirements

To integrate with US Customs Automated Commercial System for electronic filing, a user/company must fulfill certain requirement before they can talk to ACS.

1. Register with U.S. Customs for using facilities given by ACS
2. Configure transaction files according to U.S Customs standards.
3. Establish communication with CBP
4. End-to-End system testing
5. Getting Certification for particular filing

In future posts i will provide detail information about all the requirements for integration with ACS.