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The ACI service provides public and private trade operators with relevant, reliable and useful electronic cargo information well ahead of the time of arrival of the goods in the country of importation. Through ACI web-based application, real-time data is easily accessible to authorized users from any location, allowing timely processing of import/export documentation as well as monitoring of the entire traffic of imported/exported goods. SGS initially developed ACI to promote a paperless environment by replacing old ACI forms still in use in a number of countries with a web-based application accessible around the clock (7/7 24/24).
For an advanced processing and anticipated clearance of goods, all parties involved in the transaction (Importer, Forwarder, Customs, etc.) can use the ACI form which is designed to be filled out by the exporting party. The information is fully or partially available in real-time to all parties accessing the application from their own offices, in accordance to their access rights. These access rights will be tailored to users’ types and profiles, thus addressing each party only with relevant data.
The ACI application is also a valuable statistical tool to have a global view of the user’s country cross-border trade.
The ACI application also interfaces with Profiler®, the SGS risk-analysis tool, in order to identify potential threats to public health, security or legal trade, prior to the arrival of the cargo. The ACI application can also be tailored to interface with other applications such as Customs Management Systems.
The Advance Cargo Information form includes the following fields:
- Importer and Exporter and Forwarder(s): Name, Address, Phone No., Fax No., e-mail, etc.
- Shipment method (air, sea, land), roadmap (departure/arrival/transit dates and places), vessel name, container #, volume, weight . . .
- Goods: Invoice amount, Incoterm, HS code , description, etc.
- Charges: freight amount, insurance amount, local tax amount, etc.
Required documents, namely the Bill of Lading, Invoice, Export Declaration, can be attached in electronic format to each ACI form. An SGS independent Technical Center will validate that the documentation and information provided by the author of the ACI Form is complete and in conformity with applicable regulations before making it available to all stakeholders.
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