Before shipments reach the United States, ocean carriers and NVOCCs are required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to electronically submit cargo manifest information via Ocean AMS (Automated Manifest System). It must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the cargo being loaded at the foreign port and is required for security screening.

The AMS manifest must be filed by the ocean carrier or NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier). However, using specialized software, freight forwarders and customs brokers frequently manage this filing on behalf of their clients.

For an Ocean AMS submission, you need to provide complete cargo details: shipper and consignee information, the bill of lading number, container numbers, a clear description of the goods, weight, piece count, plus the loading and discharge ports and vessel details.

U.S. Customs (CBP) can issue fines that usually range from $5,000 to $10,000 for each late, inaccurate, or missing filing. Repeated issues can lead to higher penalties and even shipment delays.

It must be filed at least 24 hours before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel at the foreign port; this is what’s known as the “24-hour rule.”

Yes, even though updates are not allowed in Ocean AMS, you can make changes as long as the vessel hasn’t arrived yet by cancelling the AMS and sending it again with the correct information. Still, it’s best to get everything right the first time to avoid last-minute corrections or potential fines.

AMS is filed by the carrier or NVOCC and contains manifest information. ISF, on the other hand, is filed by the importer or their agent and focuses on additional security details. Both are mandatory, but they serve different purposes.

Yes. Our Ocean AMS platform can connect smoothly with most TMS and WMS systems using API.

It has built-in validation rules that check your data against CBP requirements before submission, plus automated error alerts, duplicate detection, and pre-filing compliance checks to help avoid rejections.

We provide 24/7 technical support, training sessions, and help communicating with CBP when needed.

The best way to evaluate fit is to see the platform using your shipment data and filing requirements. During a short demo or free trial, you can walk through a real Ocean AMS filing, review validation checks, and see how the system integrates with your current tools before making a decision.

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