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Manifest Processing on the Delaware River and Beyond

TRACS is available to members of the Delaware River steamship community to process manifest information through AMS.

TRACS is also certified to process manifest information in any other U.S. port. Contact the Exchange for our competitive rates.

Access to TRACS is provided through a secure and user-friendly Internet interface, and is part of the suite of port information software known as maritime On-Line®.

For More Information...

Contact the Exchange today at 215-925-1524 for more information and a personalized tour of Maritime On-Line®.

 

Your Interface to CBP's Automated Manifest System

TRACS is a community based cargo tracking and release system certified on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Automated Manifest System (AMS) since 1989. Its purpose is to facilitate and streamline cargo processing through the Delaware River port and has since expanded to many other ports. Since TRACS is first and foremost a manifest system, the primary beneficiaries are steamship lines and agents. Manifest data and cargo status are then made available to brokers, terminal operators, trucking companies, and warehouses.

TRACS transmits ocean vessel manifest data to Customs electronically in accordance with the 24 Hour Rule and receives cargo status (hold, do not load, release, examination, etc.) messages in as many as five days in advance of vessel arrival. This information is then disseminated to those trading partners throughout the community on a "right-to-know" basis. Sharing this data electronically both facilitates imported cargo flow and saves time and money by eliminating redundant data entry.

TRACS User Manual

The TRACS User Manual is now available for download as a Adobe PDF document. You must be a current TRACS subscriber to access the manual. Enter your Maritime On-Line user name and password below:

Username:
Password:

TRACS Features

Send Transmission Capabilities

  • Manifest Transmissions
  • VOC/Agent/NVOCC Notifications
  • Terminal Discharge Notifications
  • AMS In-bond (Conventional)
  • In-bond Arrival Function
  • Freight Releases
  • Manifest Amendments
  • Paperless Master In Bond
  • Permit To Transfer
  • Secondary Notify Party
  • Vessel Arrival/Departure Function

Receive Transmission Capabilities

  • Customs Status Notifications
  • Manifest and In-Bond Downloads
  • Shell Records
  • Other Government Agencies Interface
  • Second Notify Party Status Notifications

TRACS Benefits

TRACS enables timely manifest transmissions for compliance of the 24 Hour Rule.

TRACS speeds up the clearance of imported goods.

TRACS technology improves the competitiveness of the port region – and of the businesses which utilize it – and will help attract new customers and cargoes.

TRACS replaces cumbersome and unnecessary document handling in international trade with electronic communications and computer technologies.

TRACS eliminates unnecessary paperwork and telephone calls, reduces the need for courier service, minimizes the occurrence of data entry errors while helping to improve overall customer service levels.

TRACS can serve as a centralized system for all U.S. AMS transactions.

TRACS is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

CESAC (Customs Electronic Systems Action Committee)

On behalf of the Maritime Exchange, we participate in CESAC which is a voluntary, open, Transportation Industry Forum. The purpose of the CESAC organization is to provide a cooperative environment for the exchange of ideas and the resolution of technical issues between the Transportation Industry and the Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Automated Commercial System and Automated Environment/International Trade Data System participating government agencies for both Imports to and Exports from the U.S. CESAC’s membership is made up of representatives from all modes of transportation, (Air, Ocean, Rail and Truck), trade sectors (i.e. National Custom Brokers, Importers, and Freight Forwarders Associations, NCBFAA), Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCC), and any concerned government agencies wishing to participate.

06/24/08: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

02/26/08: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

10/23/07: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

06/26/07: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

03/27/07: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

11/14/06: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

08/15/06: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

05/16/06: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

02/16/06: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

11/15/05: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

03/01/05: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

11/09/04: CESAC Meeting Minutes (PDF)

Trade Support Network – Multi-Modal Manifest (TSN-MMM) Committee

The Trade Support Network (TSN) is a group of trade representatives who provide input into the design and development of Modernization projects, such as ACE.

 

 

How Do I Get Started With TRACS?

Getting started with TRACS to process your manifest information is an easy process. You will need to download a few forms for processing, and will need to install Maritime On-Line on your computer. The following steps will help you through the process:

I.  Obtain and Process Necessary Forms and Documentation

  • Sample Letter of Request (pdf) (word doc) – Customize the letter with your company’s information and fax it to CBP and the Maritime Exchange.  CBP and the Exchange will use this letter to establish your company profile and setup your SCAC code for use in AMS. 
  • Maritime On-line User License Agreement (pdf) – Review the agreement, then sign and return the last page to the Maritime Exchange by one of these methods:
    • By mail:  Maritime Exchange, 240 Cherry Street, Philadelphia, PA  19106
    • By fax: (215) 925-1128
  • Maritime On-line Company Profile (pdf) (word doc) – Complete and return these forms to the Maritime Exchange by mail or fax (see contact information above).  We will use this document to establish your company and employee profiles.
  • TRACS File Transfer Specification – Follow this text file specification to generate manifest files from your system compatible for electronic upload to TRACS (or you can key your manifest online).
  • TRACS Status Notification Specification – Status notifications can be viewed directly on the TRACS system and are available as an automated download.  Follow this format to import manifest status notifications into your own system from TRACS.

II.  Processing

After the Exchange and CBP receives the necessary forms outlined above:

  • CBP will authorize and setup your company SCAC information in AMS.
  • The Exchange will create a company profile within TRACS and work with CBP to finalize all necessary administrative steps for your company to transmit manifest data to AMS.
  • The Exchange will give you installation instructions.  Maritime On-Line (MOL) must be installed on all PC’s that will access TRACS.

III.  Training

When MOL has been successfully installed on your PC, we will train you on all aspects of the TRACS system, including manifest input and upload procedures, reports, and system queries.  Once you have completed training, you are ready to begin processing manifest information through TRACS.