An Overview

The Australian Customs Service (ACS) has changed the way it interacts with businesses involved in the export and import of goods from/to Australia (eg. exporters, freight forwarders, importers, etc.) with the introduction on the 06th October 2004 of it's new Cargo Management Re-engineering (CMR) system for exports with imports to follow later. The main difference to the current ACS electronic systems (eg. EXIT,etc) is the use of digital encryption of messages to and from these electronic systems for added security using a digital certificate.

Additional information can be found on the Customs website as it becomes available. If there are any queries you may direct them to the CMR information line on 1800 022 267.

What Does It Mean To Me?

There are two parts to this new CMR equation.

1. Software (Syscob's concern)

Export-It is the only software to offer CMR ICS direct communications via email or the Telstra closed X400 system ( for those clients not allowed direct access to the world wide web).

If you currently own the very popular Export-It software, then please visit our updates page for our new CMR compatible version of Export-It. Syscob has been involved with ACS since 1991, providing Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) interface software to businesses involved in the export process. This expertise has been put to good use to provide the best and most affordable CMR interface solution available running on the widest number of Microsoft windows operating systems possible.

If you do not own the Syscob Export-It Software, but would like to know more please click here.

2. Digital Certificates (User's concern)

Individuals and businesses wishing to communicate electronically with ACS may be required to purchase a digital certificate (DC). To determine if you need a DC and if so what type please click here.

CMR ICS Digital Certificates minimum required Microsoft Windows operating systems

Customs introduced their new CMR ICS exports system on the 6th Oct 2004. At this time the existing ACS EXIT system was shut down forever.

To use the Export-It software to communicate securely with the ACS CMR ICS system you will require Digital Certificates and ONLY ONE PC running "Internet Explorer (v5.5 or higher)" with the following  minimum Operating Systems.....

• Windows NT4 (SP6 or higher)
• Windows 2000 (SP3 or higher)
• Windows XP (SP1 or higher)
• Windows 2003 (SP1 or higher)

Note:  For more information about Digital Certificates please contact ACS at cmr@customs.gov.au or phone 1800 022 267.