Index: src/main/java/org/apache/jackrabbit/filevault/maven/packaging/VaultMojo.java
===================================================================
--- src/main/java/org/apache/jackrabbit/filevault/maven/packaging/VaultMojo.java	(revision 1816417)
+++ src/main/java/org/apache/jackrabbit/filevault/maven/packaging/VaultMojo.java	(working copy)
@@ -248,6 +248,28 @@
     private boolean allowIndexDefinitions;
 
     /**
+     * Defines the AC Handling. This will become the
+     * {@code acHandling} property of the properties.xml file.<br/>
+     * Possible values:
+     * <ul>
+     * <li><code>ignore</code>: Ignores the packaged access control and leaves the target unchanged.</li>
+     * <li><code>overwrite</code>: Applies the access control provided with the package to the target. this also removes
+     * existing access control.</li>
+     * <li><code>merge</code>: Merge access control provided with the package with the one in the content by replacing the
+     * access control entries of corresponding principals (i.e. package first). It never alters access control entries of
+     * principals not present in the package.</li>
+     * <li><code>merge_preserve</code>: Merge access control in the content with the one provided with the package by
+     * adding the access control entries of principals not present in the content (i.e. content first). It never alters
+     * access control entries already existing in the content.</li>
+     * <li><code>clear</code>: Clears all access control on the target system.</li>
+     * </ul>
+     */
+    @Parameter(
+            property = "vault.acHandling",
+            required = false)
+    private String acHandling;
+
+    /**
      * Controls if errors during dependency validation should fail the build.
      */
     @Parameter(
@@ -383,6 +405,7 @@
      * <tr><td>allowIndexDefinitions</td><td>Use <i>allowIndexDefinitions</i> parameter to set</td></tr>
      * <tr><td>packagePath</td><td>Automatically generated from the group and package name</td></tr>
      * <tr><td>packageType</td><td>Set via the package type parameter</td></tr>
+     * <tr><td>acHandling</td><td>Use <i>acHandling</i> parameter to set</td></tr>
      * </table>
      */
     @Parameter
@@ -836,6 +859,9 @@
         props.put("requiresRoot", String.valueOf(requiresRoot));
         props.put("allowIndexDefinitions", String.valueOf(allowIndexDefinitions));
         props.put("packageType", packageType.name().toLowerCase());
+        if (acHandling != null) {
+            props.put("acHandling", StringUtils.lowerCase(acHandling));
+        }
         return props;
     }