Freight & Trade Alliance (FTA) and the Australian Peak Shippers Association (APSA) have been in communication with Qantas Freight senior management in relation to recent changes announced by the US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) in regard to the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) Program, which had been in effect since 12 June 2018. The recent changes announced will see the introduction of additional data elements added to the existing ACAS data elements required on air cargo shipments destined to the USA.
The CBP on the 21st August 2024 released a raft of enhancements to the ACAS program via an updated ACAS Implementation Guide, which they have since updated again on 30 August 2024 via ACAS Implementation Guide Version 2.3.1. CBP is working with IATA, airline representatives, and logistics software developers to facilitate the introduction of the additional data elements required to be submitted prior to export under the new enhancements.
To assist the trade community in understanding the expectations of CBP concerning the new Enhanced ACAS Security Filing, CBP has also published an interim frequently asked questions (FAQ) document as guidance, which also outlines each of the additional data elements: Enhanced Air Cargo Advance Screening Security Filing Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Qantas Freight have today announced that CBP have introduced a nationwide rejection of vague cargo descriptions in Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) for any freight arriving or transiting in the US. The new policy takes effect from 7 October 2024. From this date, ACAS files will need to include more detailed cargo descriptions. Any non-compliant, vague descriptors will be rejected and freight will not be loaded at origin until the cargo descriptions have been amended to be compliant.
Following is the full Qantas Freight announcement:
Rejection of Vague Descriptions in ACAS for US
Published 12 September 2024
On 4 September 2024, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced a nationwide rejection of vague cargo descriptions in Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) for any freight arriving or transiting in the US. The new policy takes effect from 7 October 2024.
From this date, ACAS files will need to include more detailed cargo descriptions. Any non-compliant, vague descriptors will be rejected and freight will not be loaded at origin until the cargo descriptions have been amended to be compliant.
Please note that if a hold is placed on one HAWB, the entire MAWB will not be uplifted. If a MAWB/HAWB is co-loaded on a ULD with other MAWBs, the entire ULD will be held from uplift.
Visit the US CBP for more information about acceptable descriptions and Cargo Systems Messaging Service rejection messages.
Members are strongly encouraged to review the US CBP information provided by Qantas Freight to ensure they are compliant.
Further Information
Further information is also available as follows:
Qantas Freight website
US Customs & Border Protection - ACAS website
FTA will also provide further updates via the FTA website.