CBP to Accept ABI In-Bond Requests for Air Cargo

October 23, 2012 by Tim Warren|Customs

CBP will add air cargo in-bond functionality to the Automated Broker Interface on Nov. 5, the agency said in a CSMS message. ABI in-bond requests, which are currently being tested, may only be transmitted for air waybills that have been transmitted and accepted in the Air Automated Manifest System, said CBP. CBP also provided a set of tips on using air in-bonds:

Air in-bonds must be requested at the simple and house bill levels.
When applicable, previous in-bond numbers must be transmitted with subsequent in-bond requests.
Previous in-bonds must arrive before a subsequent in-bond request is transmitted.
Partial piece counts are not permitted with QX (either space fill or zero fill)
In-bond requests for split air waybills must match the arrival information transmitted by the Air Carrier for each part.
In-bond requests for split air waybills must have a unique in-bond control number for each part arrival.

The revised Customs and Trade Interface Requirements (CATAIR) Chapter Air In-Bond (ABI Application identifiers QX/WX) is available (here).