Best AMS Filing Software (2026): Ocean & Air Manifest Filing to CBP

Best AMS Filing Software (2026): Ocean & Air Manifest Filing to CBP

Comparing the most reliable AMS filing software for freight forwarders in 2026: 1. CargoEZ, 2. Magaya, 3. Descartes, 4. CargoWise, 5. GoFreight, 6. CustomsNow, 7. Vilden eCLEAR, 8. GTKonnect.

AMS, the Automated Manifest System, is how a carrier or forwarder sends the advance cargo manifest to US Customs and Border Protection through ACE, and for ocean it has to be transmitted at least 24 hours before the container is loaded abroad. Get it late or wrong and you risk a port hold or a "Do Not Load" message, so the software's job is to file the manifest to CBP cleanly and on time.

AMS is filed by the carrier or forwarder that reports the cargo, so it is about manifest-level visibility and clearance, and the software has to move that manifest to CBP accurately. I write this for the freight forwarder filing AMS, so I rank AMS filing software for freight forwarders, and I mark the tools that lean toward a customs broker or an enterprise trade-compliance team.

AMS filing software: the forwarder's shortlist

• CargoEZ — best for AMS and ISF filing built into your forwarding platform, direct to CBP

• Magaya — best for deep ocean and air AMS with AMS Query, for forwarders

• Descartes — best for unified air and ocean AMS at customs-heavy scale

• CargoWise — best for enterprise customs entry and manifest filing, globally

• GoFreight — best for a modern cloud forwarding platform with AMS through modules

• CustomsNow — best for an ocean cargo AMS module with data copying and CBP validation

• Vilden eCLEAR — best for multi-regime AMS, ISF, and international manifests in the cloud

• GTKonnect — best for repetitive AMS filings with copy-previous efficiency

The short version: if you are a freight forwarder and want AMS filed as part of the shipment you already run, a platform like CargoEZ, Magaya, or GoFreight keeps the manifest data on the same house and master B/L, so it auto-populates and nothing is re-typed. If AMS is a dedicated, high-volume job, a customs-focused tool such as Descartes, CustomsNow, Vilden eCLEAR, or GTKonnect is built for that. I rank the all-in-one platforms first, with Magaya carrying the deepest built-in AMS.

What makes AMS filing software worth buying

I judged each tool on what actually keeps a manifest compliant, not on the interface:

• Direct ACE and ABI to CBP — an AMS software with ACE integration submits the manifest data straight to CBP through ACE, without leaning on a third-party broker, with automatic CBP responses.

• Ocean AMS and air AMS — whether it is an ocean AMS filing software, an air AMS tool, or an ocean and air AMS filing software that does both, since many operations need one or the other.

• AMS Query and status — the ability to query CBP status and see holds or releases.

• Error validation — pre-submission checks that match the master B/L and container numbers so you avoid a port hold or a "Do Not Load" alert.

• House and master B/L handling — filing house, sub, and master manifests, tied to the shipment.

• Multi-regime support — ISF (10+2), AES/EEI, and international manifests like Canada ACI and EU ICS2, when you need more than US AMS.

A note on scope. AMS software serves carriers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers. This guide is written for the freight forwarder, so I frame the broker-first and enterprise trade-compliance tools honestly rather than pretending they are forwarding platforms.

AMS filing software compared, side by side

Ratings verified Aug — 2026. Most dedicated AMS and customs vendors are niche and have too few public reviews for a meaningful score, so I mark those "n/a" rather than invent a number. For Magaya, the figure is the Magaya platform.

How each tool handles AMS manifest filing

Yes = documented and strong; Partial = present but limited; n/d = not documented.

The pattern I see: the forwarding platforms (CargoEZ, Magaya, GoFreight) win on auto-population, because the manifest data already lives on the house and master B/L, while the customs specialists (Descartes, CustomsNow, Vilden eCLEAR, GTKonnect) win on multi-regime depth and high-volume, repetitive filing. Magaya sits in both camps, with genuinely deep built-in AMS.

The 8 best AMS filing platforms, reviewed

1. CargoEZ — Best for AMS and ISF filing built into your forwarding platform, direct to CBP

I put CargoEZ first for forwarders because it files AMS and ISF from inside the same platform that runs the shipment, so the manifest data comes off the house and master B/L you already built instead of being keyed into a separate customs tool.

Who it's for

US small and midmarket forwarders that want AMS and ISF filed direct to CBP, on the shipment record, with quoting, booking, and operations in one place.

Who it's not for

a high-volume customs broker or an enterprise team that needs the widest multi-regime coverage and air AMS out of the box; that depth sits with Magaya, Descartes, or Vilden eCLEAR.

Features

• AMS and ISF to ACE: file the ocean AMS manifest and the ISF directly to CBP through ACE, in one place, with automated regulatory updates.

• Auto-population from the B/L: the manifest data pulls from the house and master B/L on the shipment, so parties, container, and cargo details are not re-typed.

• ERP and TMS integration: connect the filing to your wider systems so data flows in and out cleanly.

• Compliance guardrails: required-field checks help you avoid the delays and penalties that come from a late or wrong manifest.

• One record for customs: AMS and ISF sit in the customs-compliance module alongside quoting, booking, and billing, so nothing is a separate silo.

What reviewers say

4.8/5 on G2 from 40 reviews, with users citing one connected flow from booking to customs to invoicing. If you want to see AMS filing on your own shipments, book a demo or call +1 (408) 834-7476.

2. Magaya — Best for deep ocean and air AMS with AMS Query, for forwarders

Magaya is the platform I point to when AMS depth matters, because it files AMS for both ocean and air, runs AMS Query, and keeps the filing tied to the shipment, so it suits forwarders that want serious manifest filing without an enterprise build.

Who it's for

small and midmarket forwarders whose main requirement is reliable US AMS filing for ocean and air, with AMS Query, ISF, and EEI in the same system.

Who it's not for

teams that want the most modern interface, since some reviewers describe the UI as dated.

Features

• AMS air and ocean: file the manifest for both modes, with AMS Query to check CBP status.

• House, sub, and master manifests: automated creation, validation, and electronic submission of each manifest level.

• Multi-filing: AMS plus ISF and EEI/AES, with direct US Customs connectivity.

• Connected to the shipment: the filing stays linked to the shipment, B/L, and AWB data, reducing duplicate entry.

• Broad compliance: manifest support extends to regimes like ACI and ENS.

What reviewers say

4.4/5 on G2 from 284 and 4.4/5 on Capterra from 50; the figures are for the Magaya platform.

3. Descartes — Best for unified air and ocean AMS at customs-heavy scale

Descartes is my pick when AMS is one part of a large customs and compliance operation, since its Automated Manifest System provides unified air and ocean filing, from manual web entry up to automated EDI connections.

Who it's for

customs-heavy and larger operations that need unified air and ocean AMS, with flexible filing options and deep compliance content behind it.

Who it's not for

a small forwarder filing a modest number of manifests, where a full enterprise customs platform is more than needed.

Features

• Unified air and ocean: one system for both, including Descartes Air ACE for air.

• Flexible filing: from manual web entry to fully automated EDI, so you match the method to volume.

• Deep customs content: validation and compliance content via the Descartes network.

• Enterprise integration: EDI and system connectivity into existing TMS and ERP.

What reviewers say

Descartes is a large, established customs and logistics vendor; its AMS sits inside the broader Descartes customs and compliance suite, which is reviewed on G2 as a suite rather than a standalone AMS product, so I do not attach a single AMS score to it.

4. CargoWise — Best for enterprise customs entry and manifest filing, globally

CargoWise is the heavyweight I recommend to large forwarders, because it treats AMS as one step inside a global forwarding and customs operating system with enterprise-grade entry filing.

Who it's for

large, global forwarders with high volume and complex multi-country operations that want manifest filing wired into customs and operations.

Who it's not for

a small operation that files a handful of manifests, where CargoWise is heavier and costlier than a focused AMS tool.

Features

• Enterprise manifest and entry: robust customs entry and manifest filing across modes.

• Integrated data: AMS draws on the same shipment, B/L, and party data as the rest of the platform.

• Global compliance: native customs connectivity across many countries.

• Scale and control: multi-entity, high-volume filing with governance and audit.

What reviewers say

4.3/5 on G2 from 35, but 2.9/5 on Capterra from 32; I read both before recommending it.

5. GoFreight — Best for a modern cloud forwarding platform with AMS through modules

GoFreight is the modern US forwarding platform I reach for when a team wants AMS tied to a clean cloud operation, with manifest filing handled through its modules and integrations.

Who it's for

small and mid US forwarders who want a modern platform running quoting, booking, and operations, with ocean AMS filing tied in through modules and carrier integrations.

Who it's not for

a dedicated customs broker or high-volume filer that needs the deepest multi-mode AMS and AMS Query built in, where Magaya or Descartes fits better.

Features

• AMS through the platform: ocean AMS filing handled via modules and integrations, connected to the shipment.

• Modern cloud workflow: AMS sits with quoting, booking, tracking, and billing.

• Carrier connectivity: native connections to carriers and terminals.

• Compliance visibility: status and validation around the filing.

What reviewers say

4.8/5 on G2 from 92 reviews, one of the larger recent review bases among forwarding platforms.

6. CustomsNow — Best for an ocean cargo AMS module with data copying and CBP validation

CustomsNow is the customs-focused option I flag when a team files ocean AMS at volume, since its ocean cargo AMS module is built around time-saving data copying, custom templates, and real-time CBP validation.

Who it's for

customs brokers and importers that want a dedicated ocean cargo AMS module with template reuse and automated CBP validation.

Who it's not for

a forwarder who wants AMS as one module inside a full forwarding platform rather than a dedicated customs tool.

Features

• Ocean cargo AMS module: a focused module for filing the ocean manifest to CBP.

• Data copying and templates: copy prior filings and reuse templates to cut keying on repetitive manifests.

• Real-time CBP validation: checks against CBP before and after submission.

• Broker-ready: built for teams filing across many accounts.

What reviewers say

CustomsNow is listed on G2 but without enough reviews for a meaningful score, so I would confirm fit and pricing on a demo.

7. Vilden eCLEAR — Best for multi-regime AMS, ISF, and international manifests in the cloud

Vilden eCLEAR is the cloud customs platform I include for teams that file beyond US AMS, since it supports ACE, AMS, and ISF plus international filings like Canada eManifest and EU ICS2.

Who it's for

forwarders and customs teams that need US AMS and ISF alongside international manifests, all in one cloud compliance platform.

Who it's not for

a US-only forwarder who just wants AMS in the forwarding platform, where an all-in-one like CargoEZ or Magaya is simpler.

Features

• Multi-regime filing: ACE, AMS, and ISF for the US, plus Canada eManifest (ACI) and EU ICS2.

• Cloud compliance: a single cloud platform for cross-border customs filings.

• Validation: data checks before transmission to each authority.

• International reach: built for teams filing into more than one customs regime.

What reviewers say

Vilden eCLEAR is a niche customs-compliance vendor without a meaningful public G2 or Capterra score, so I would confirm AMS fit on a demo.

8. GTKonnect — Best for repetitive AMS filings with copy-previous efficiency

GTKonnect is the tool I mention for high-volume, repetitive AMS work, since its Automated Manifest System lets you file in CBP ACE and copy previously created submissions to speed up recurring filings.

Who it's for

forwarders, service providers, shippers, and importers filing many similar AMS submissions who want copy-previous efficiency in ACE.

Who it's not for

a small forwarder who wants AMS inside a forwarding platform rather than a dedicated filing tool.

Features

• File AMS in ACE: electronic manifest filing in the CBP ACE environment.

• Copy previous submissions: reuse prior AMS filings for repetitive shipments to save time.

• Broad users: built for forwarders, service providers, shippers, and importers.

• Efficiency-focused: designed to reduce keying on recurring manifests.

What reviewers say

GTKonnect is a niche AMS software vendor without a meaningful public G2 or Capterra score, so I would confirm fit on a demo.

One more worth knowing: CrimsonLogic offers a direct-to-CBP AMS and trade-compliance tool for forwarders and agents, rated 4.5/5 from 23 reviews on G2, and Artemus Group provides a dedicated Automated Manifest System solution as well.

Picking AMS filing software for ocean or air

• Start from ocean or air. Confirm the tool files the mode you need: ocean AMS, air AMS, or both. Magaya and Descartes cover both; some tools are ocean-first.

• Check who files. AMS filing software for freight forwarders that want AMS in the platform means CargoEZ, Magaya, or GoFreight; a dedicated customs team fits Descartes, CustomsNow, or GTKonnect.

• Insist on direct ACE and validation. An AMS filing software with error validation should match the master B/L and container numbers before the manifest goes, to avoid a port hold or "Do Not Load".

• Right-size the regimes. If you only file US ocean AMS, an AMS filing software for small forwarders is enough; if you also file ISF, AES, ACI, or ICS2, choose a multi-regime tool.

• Keep the B/L link. AMS that auto-populates from the house and master B/L saves keying and cuts errors.

My verdict: the best AMS filing software for forwarders

For a freight forwarder, I would pick CargoEZ, because AMS and ISF are filed direct to CBP from inside the same platform that runs your quoting, booking, and operations, so the manifest auto-populates from the house and master B/L and nothing is re-typed. I would choose Magaya when built-in AMS depth is the priority, with air and ocean plus AMS Query, Descartes for unified air and ocean at customs-heavy scale, CargoWise for global enterprise, and GoFreight for a modern cloud platform. If AMS is a dedicated job, look at CustomsNow, Vilden eCLEAR, or GTKonnect.

File your next AMS manifest from the shipment. Book a CargoEZ demo or call +1 (408) 834-7476, and see the manifest go straight to CBP without re-keying.