ACE DIS basics

THE ACE BASICS: DOCUMENT IMAGE SYSTEM
What is DIS?

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently transitioning cargo release and entry summary processing to a paperless
workflow in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). To support these transactions, filers can submit supporting
documentation to the government during the import process and for export manifest through the Document Image System (DIS). Instead of providing a
physical copy of a form, users should submit an electronic version of a document (i.e. PDF or JPEG). This process allows government personnel to receive
and review documentation in a more timely manner than with paper counterparts.
For details on the process, please reference the steps below.

How it Works

1

Filer submits entry or
entry summary to CBP

2

ACE reviews
submission and holds,
releases, or rejects

3

If documents are needed
filer responds by sending
requested documents via
DIS

4

ACE reviews and
provides a system
response

ACE

ACE

(DIS)

(DIS)

Released

5

CBP and/or Partner
Government Agency (PGA)
personnel review submissions and take appropriate
action

CBP &
PGA

6

Transactions are
accepted and
release
messages sent

Released

Document Request

How to Submit Documents

How to Use DIS
When submitting to DIS, filers have the following options to transmit:
1. Electronically through secure web services, file transfer protocol, or
messaging queue.
2. By Email to docs@cbp.dhs.gov or
Export_Manifest@cbp.dhs.gov (Ocean export manifest only)
x

Successful submissions will receive an automated ‘submission
status email’ indicating Success or Failure

Technical guidelines for electronic or e-mail submission are available at
www.cbp.gov/ace-dis
January 2016
PUBLICATION NUMBER: 1138-1015