ACAS Data Must Be Submitted When Initially Loaded on US-Bound Aircraft, Regardless of Stops

Air Cargo Advanced Screening data must be submitted when cargo destined for the U.S. is initially loaded at a foreign airport aboard an aircraft that will enter the U.S., CBP said. In a customs ruling dated April 19, the agency said the data needs to be entered at the initial loading regardless of whether the aircraft stops at a different foreign airport before entering the U.S.

The ruling focused on a company responsible for shipping cargo on "multi-leg" flights, the agency said. The company that requested the ruling said one of its routings would have the cargo loaded in Hong Kong, before stopping in Singapore for more cargo and then arriving in the U.S., CBP said.

The ruling looked to the relevant customs regulations for ACAS data, 19 CFR 122.48b, which says that the initial filing must be submitted "no later than prior to loading of the cargo onto the aircraft," CBP said.

The timing of the filing is linked to the aircraft that will arrive in the U.S., regardless of any stops it makes before then, CBP said. So, for the example provided by the ruling requester, the ACAS data must be submitted before the cargo is loaded on the flight from Hong Kong to Singapore, "provided this cargo is still on board the aircraft when it lands" in the U.S., CBP said. "For cargo loaded aboard the aircraft in Singapore destined for the United States, ACAS data must be submitted prior to the cargo being placed on board the aircraft in Singapore."