ACAS data is required to be submitted by any business or individual that imports or exports goods into or out of the United States. This includes importers, exporters, customs brokers, and other parties involved in the process.The inbound air carrier is required to file the ACAS data if no other eligible parties elect to file.

In order to ensure that effective targeting occurs prior to loading, it is essential that accurate ACAS data be filed at the earliest point possible in the supply chain. To allow for this, CBP is permitting parties other than inbound air carriers to file such data. This is because, in many cases, these other parties will have access to more accurate information than air carriers themselves.

In order to ensure timely and accurate filing of the ACAS data, CBP is allowing multiple parties to file the data. This allows for flexibility in how the data is filed and ensures that the filer has access to the most up-to-date information. In cases where no other eligible party elects to file, the inbound air carrier must file the ACAS data. However, even when another party does elect to file, the inbound air carrier may also choose to do so.

Other Parties eligible include an Automated Broker Interface (ABI) filer (importer or its Customs broker or freight forwarder) with a ABI filer code; a Container Freight Station/deconsolidator/ ECCF as identified by its FIRMS code.