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Customs

Customs


The customs clearance process involves two key stages: Export from China Customs and Import into the U.S. for customs clearance.

AMS (Ocean AMS)

The Automated Manifest System (AMS) is an electronic system mandated by U.S. Customs, requiring carriers to submit manifest data for goods prior to entry. AMS facilitates:

  • Advance submission of cargo information by carriers.

  • Customs review and shipment release.

AMS is mandatory for both air and sea shipments. This section focuses on Ocean AMS, where the carrier is responsible for declaring customs information.

Create Ocean AMS

1. Navigate to Customs > AMS > Ocean AMS. 2. Click + Add to open the Create Ocean AMS page. 3. Enter the following seven parts of information:

migration:oms/ocean-ams.png

Initial Info

Field Name

Description

BL Status Indicator

Specifies the current status of the Bill of Lading (e.g., Original, Copy).

BL Type

Defines the type of Bill of Lading (e.g., Master, House).

SCAC Code

A unique identifier for the carrier, issued by the NMFTA (e.g., Maersk).

Master Bill of Lading Number

The number for the master Bill of Lading, issued directly by the carrier to the shipper or agent.

House Bill of Lading Number

The number for the house Bill of Lading, issued by the freight forwarder to the shipper.

Batch Number

A unique identifier for a batch of goods used for tracking and organizing related data.

Value

(Optional) Total shipment value.

Is Master Inbound (Toggle)

Indicates whether the Master Bill of Lading is for inbound shipments (Yes/No).

Transport Info

Field Name

Description

Carrier Code

Code identifying the carrier (must be AMS-registered).

Vessel Name

Name of the vessel transporting the goods (e.g., MSC Zoe).

Vessel Country Code

The country where the vessel is registered (e.g., US).

Lloyds IMO

The 7-digit IMO (International Maritime Organization) number for the vessel.

Voyage Number

Identifier for the vessel’s specific voyage.

Manifest Sequence Number

Sequential number for identifying shipments within the manifest.

Pre-carriage Transport Mode Code

Code representing the transport mode before the main carriage (e.g., Truck, Rail).

Place of Receipt

Location where the carrier received the goods.

Transport Mode Code

Main transport mode for the shipment (e.g., Sea, Air, Land).

Port Info

Field Name

Description

Port of Loading Code

The code for the port where goods are loaded onto the vessel.

First Foreign Port Code

The first foreign port visited after departure.

Last Foreign Port Code

The last foreign port visited before arrival at the destination country.

Port of Unloading Code

The code for the port where goods are unloaded in the destination country.

US Destination Port

The final destination port within the U.S.

Foreign Destination Port

The final destination port outside the U.S.

Measurements Info

Field Name

Description

Weight

The weight of the goods.

Weight Unit

The unit for weight measurement (e.g., KG, LB).

Volume

The volume of the goods.

Volume Unit

The unit for volume measurement (e.g., CBM, CFT).

Miscellaneous Info

Field Name

Description

Estimated Arrival Date

Expected date and time of arrival.

Manifest Quantity

Total quantity of items listed in the manifest.

Manifest Unit Code

Unit of measure for the manifest quantity (e.g., Pieces, Cases, KG).

Payment Method

Payment method for the shipment (e.g., Prepaid, Collect).

Inbound Carrier Code

Code identifying the carrier for inbound shipments.

Inbound Entry Type

Type of inbound entry (e.g., Formal Import, Temporary Import).

Second Notify Party 1/2

Contact or organization notified when goods arrive or clear customs.

Is BTA FDA? (Toggle)

Indicates compliance with U.S. Bioterrorism Act (BTA) and FDA regulations.

Container Info

Field Name

Description

Container No.

The unique identifier for the container.

Container Type

Type of container (e.g., 20FT, Reefer, Tank).

Seal No.

The seal number of the container for security purposes.

Package Quantity

Number of packages within the container.

Weight

Weight of the goods in the container.

Volume

Volume of the goods in the container.

Mode

Indicates whether the container is FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load).

HTS Code

Harmonized Tariff Schedule code for the goods.

Country of Origin

The country where the goods were manufactured or produced.

Hazardous Info

Field Name

Description

Package Group

Packaging group classification for hazardous materials.

UN No.

The UN identification number for hazardous goods.

Class

Classification code for dangerous goods (e.g., Explosives, Flammables).

Flashpoint Temp

The minimum temperature at which flammable vapor ignites.

Contact Name/Number

Emergency contact for handling hazardous materials.