Advanced Cargo Information (ACI)

Advanced Cargo Information (ACI) is an electronic data submission system that requires carriers, freight forwarders, and other supply chain participants to transmit detailed cargo information to customs authorities before shipment arrival. The advance electronic transmission of air cargo data is primarily aimed at offsetting security risks by providing to Customs administrations sufficient time to undertake an adequate risk assessment of cargo prior to the arrival of the carrying aircraft in their territory. For instance, in air transport, cargo information usually needs to be provided four hours before arrival. ACI programs have expanded globally, with at least 70 countries already requesting ACI submissions with specific references to the WCO SAFE implementation.

A Lufthansa Cargo flight LH8743 from Frankfurt to Chicago requires ACI submission 4 hours before arrival, including master air waybill 020-12345678 (where 020 is Lufthansa Cargo's AWB prefix), shipper/consignee details, and complete cargo descriptions. An Emirates SkyCargo shipment carrying AWB 176-87654321 from Dubai to Toronto must have all cargo data transmitted to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at departure time if the flight duration is less than 4 hours.

• ACI
• pre-arrival declaration
• advance cargo notification
• pre-loading advance cargo information
• PLACI

How early must Advanced Cargo Information (ACI) be submitted for air cargo shipments?

The CBSA must receive and validate cargo and conveyance data a minimum of four hours prior to arrival in Canada or at time of departure if the flight is less than four hours in duration. In the United States, electronic transmission of certain information pertaining to the commercial cargo on board aircraft entering the United States must occur no later than the time of departure from certain airports near the United States or no later than four hours prior to arrival in the United States when the aircraft departs from any other foreign area. Japan requires cargo information to be reported no later than 3 hours before the arrival of the aircraft at the airport.

What is the difference between Advanced Cargo Information (ACI) and Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI)?

Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) is the new security regime focused on assessing the risk prior to shipment loading, while traditional ACI requirements focus on pre-arrival security protocols. ACAS data must be transmitted as early as practicable, but no later than prior to the loading of cargo onto an aircraft, which is in contrast to the broader set of 19 CFR 122.48a data which may, in some cases, be transmitted after the departure of an aircraft from a foreign airport. Current PLACI regimes include United States (US) – ACAS (Air Cargo Advance Screening) and European Union (EU) – Import Control.