Changes to the ACAS Program Impacts Airfreight Forwarders
The Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program evaluates shipments for threats to aviation. Messages describing upcoming shipments are sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in advance of the cargo’s departure for the United States. This data is reviewed jointly by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel to identify threats.
The public regulations governing ACAS require that certain “mandatory” elements be reported in connection with air cargo moving inbound to the U.S. See 19 C.F.R. § 122.48a. CBP recently updated the ACAS Implementation Guide (IG) to state it is “strongly recommended” that ACAS filers include additional data elements regarding such shipments, including customer and party-contact information. CBP has also increased its scrutiny of cargo descriptions provided in ACAS filings.
Indirect Air Carriers and other businesses that make ACAS filings should ensure they are consulting the most up-to-date version of the IG (currently Version 2.3.3 released on October 15, 2024) to avoid possible delays when shipping air cargo.
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News from Scopelitis is intended as a report to our clients and friends on developments affecting the transportation industry. The published material does not constitute an exhaustive legal study and should not be regarded or relied upon as individual legal advice or opinion.
Changes to the ACAS Program Impacts Airfreight Forwarders
The Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program evaluates shipments for threats to aviation. Messages describing upcoming shipments are sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in advance of the cargo’s departure for the United States. This data is reviewed jointly by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel to identify threats.
The public regulations governing ACAS require that certain “mandatory” elements be reported in connection with air cargo moving inbound to the U.S. See 19 C.F.R. § 122.48a. CBP recently updated the ACAS Implementation Guide (IG) to state it is “strongly recommended” that ACAS filers include additional data elements regarding such shipments, including customer and party-contact information. CBP has also increased its scrutiny of cargo descriptions provided in ACAS filings.
Indirect Air Carriers and other businesses that make ACAS filings should ensure they are consulting the most up-to-date version of the IG (currently Version 2.3.3 released on October 15, 2024) to avoid possible delays when shipping air cargo.
News from Scopelitis is intended as a report to our clients and friends on developments affecting the transportation industry. The published material does not constitute an exhaustive legal study and should not be regarded or relied upon as individual legal advice or opinion.