The Cargo Support Home Page
The Cargo Support Home Page provides current information on all aspects of the ICS. It is the definitive source for Fact Sheets, Training materials and Policy.
The Cargo Support Home Page.
Customs Connect Facility (CCF)
The CCF provides the communications link between the Department, external networks and telecommunications carriers.
The CCF is the communications gateway for all electronic business transactions to and from the Department.
Client registrations are accessed by the CCF during the process of authorising clients connecting to the CCF, either for batch (EDI) processing or access via Customs Interactive.
For EDI transactions the CCF:
- receives and sends Interchanges;
- provides authentication and authorisation security controls;
- checks message syntax;
- provides protocol management functions; and
- encrypts/decrypts and validates digitally signed Interchanges.
For CI transactions the CCF
- manages communications for the Interactive Web pages.
EDI Messaging Protocols
Encrypted EDI interchanges will be carried as attachments to e-mails. Such e-mails will use the standard Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and be in S-MIME format. All communications traffic will use the TCP/IP protocol over internet based links.
Interactive transactions will use HTML format with HTTP/S over TCP/IP protocols. These encrypted transactions will be made using Customs Interactive web pages.
There is also a provision to send plain text e-mails to the user, using encryption protocols, if an interactive session has been closed (eg status information).
Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
In line with the Commonwealth Government's Gatekeeper strategy for supporting the security of online transactions with government, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is being utilised to provide the Department and its clients with assurance that messages received from each other are genuine, and that the sender can be legally identified.
PKI is the security mechanism for communications in a global and open network. It utilises encryption to protect your data. A digital certificate and associated 'keys' verify who is communicating and the integrity of the communicator's data. The digital certificate is the electronic equivalent of the hand written signature and envelope process.
Current information about the Department's implementation of PKI is available here -
PKI Information (PDF)
Digital certificates
Digital certificate creates a unique identifier that can be checked by the receiver of information to provide evidence of the sender's identity and confirm that the document has not been altered or interfered with.
Digital Certificate information is available here: -
Digital Certificates
Connection Options
Older systems such as COMPILE, EXIT, ACA and SCA operate through a closed communication gateway. With the implementation of the ICS, the Department uses an open system based on Internet protocols. This will provide your clients with a number of options for communicating with the Department. As a result, a new security environment is required.
There are two options for communicating with the ICS:
Customs Interactive (CI)
The Customs Interactive facility allows real time Web browser interaction with the ICS. This facility provides a range of functions for lodging import and export entries and cargo reports, checking cargo status, verifying the status of transactions in the ICS, updating the client register, and amending reports submitted via EDI.
Interactive clients may elect to have ICS responses provided via an encrypted plain text email. This email would be sent to a nominated email address and will be signed and encrypted by the Department to ensure security.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Electronic data interchange (EDI) is a class of industry specific message formats used in electronic commerce. Other sections of this guide detail the messaging standards, specifications and the rules being applied by the Department to messages used by the ICS.
Clients may connect via the Internet for either Customs Interactive or EDI.
Internet via an Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Users will be able to transact EDI messaging with the Department over the Internet. Users will create their EDI interchanges, sign them using their digital certificate, and encrypt them using the Department's public encryption key. The encrypted interchanges are then transmitted over the internet to the Department's CCF email address. The Department will decrypt the interchange using the Department's private key and will validate the user by checking the digital signature against the user's public key.
Via a VAN
Some proprietary software developers are considering providing Value Added Networks for use by their clients. In these circumstances users will transact their import/export related business within the VAN. Their emails with EDI attachments will be encrypted and then transmitted to the Department by the VAN.
The VAN will transmit messages to the Department over the Internet.
Client Registration
Overview
All clients who intend to electronically communicate with the Department will be required to register in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS). Those clients that intend to electronically report on behalf of another party may also have to register their clients.
Information regarding the registration process can be found at: -
First time users
A full explanation of the technical and policy aspects of client registration are also available.
Processing Environments
The Department maintains two environments for use by external clients. These environments are designated as:
- Production.
- Test (a.k.a Industry Test).
Test
External users wishing to gain access to the test system need to go through the same process as they would for gaining access to the ICS Production environment.
V2.0 1 OCT 2022
