GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 23, 2026

Advance Cargo Information (ACI)

Unlike a general pre-arrival notification, ACI (Advance Cargo Information) is a structured, mandatory electronic filing: shippers and freight forwarders submit shipper and consignee details, commodity descriptions, weight, piece count, and container numbers to customs authorities before departure or arrival, with exact deadlines varying by transport mode and destination.

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Last updated: 23 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/facilitation/instrument-and-tools/frameworks-of-standards/safe_package.aspx

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Definition & Explanation

Unlike a general pre-arrival notification, ACI (Advance Cargo Information) is a structured, mandatory electronic filing: shippers and freight forwarders submit shipper and consignee details, commodity descriptions, weight, piece count, and container numbers to customs authorities before departure or arrival, with exact deadlines varying by transport mode and destination. Customs agencies use this data to risk-profile shipments, reducing physical inspection rates and shortening clearance times. The requirement is internationally anchored in the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards; country-level implementations include the U.S. Importer Security Filing (ISF) and the EU Import Control System (ICS). ACI is distinct from transport documents such as the bill of lading or air waybill, which travel with the cargo and serve a different legal purpose.

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