CBP Update on ACE Status - Document Imaging and Data for PGAs

(ACE a multi-year project to modernize the business processes essential to securing U.S. borders, speeding the flow of legitimate shipments, and targeting illicit goods that require scrutiny. ACE modernizes and enhances trade processing with features that will consolidate and automate border processing and will replace the current system, the Automated Commercial System (ACS).)

ACE Capabilities, Deployed ACE Functionality

CBP provides the following information on current ACE capabilities and deployed ACE functionality:

Over 18K trade account users. There are more than 18,450 trade user accounts in the ACE Secure Data Portal. Among other things, having an account (1) enables users to proactively check for unauthorized filers and monitor compliance data not available through the ACS (2) allows truck carriers to file electronic manifest via portal at no charge; and (3) provides access to over 100 customizable reports.

Over 55% of duties paid via PMS. More than $1 billion average monthly collection of revenue is done via the ACE Periodic Monthly Statement feature, representing more than 55% of all duties and fees collected.

(PMS allows duty payments on the 15th working day of the month following release, providing significant cash flow benefits.)

CPSC, Census have ACE access. PGAs such as the following, have access to ACE, which specifically benefits their missions:

• Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS)
• Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
• Census Bureau
• Import Administration

Trucks processed faster using e-Manifests. The electronic filing of truck manifests has led to truck manifests being processed approximately 20% faster nationwide (at select measured locations) as compared to ACS. CBP is processing an average of 190,000 trucks nationally per week.

35 entities filing entries via ACE. 35 entities have been approved and are authorized to file entry summaries using ACE. Approximately 290,000 entries have filed since entry summary functionality was introduced in April 2009.

Efforts to Develop and Implement ITDS Initiatives

Through the International Trade Data System initiative, ACE will become the “single window” for the trade community to submit data required by all Federal agencies for the clearance of cargo. Efforts to develop and implement, as well as project status, are as follows:

Document Imaging System to soon move images to FDA. The DIS provides the capability for trade participants to submit documents electronically for review by CBP and PGAs through the DIS. CBP successfully conducted a demonstration of the submission of an imaged document by the trade and viewing by PGA and CBP users at the Import Safety Conference on October 21, 2010 in Dulles, VA. There are three active trade participants currently testing in the DIS environment, with one additional participant currently in discussion for participation in the DIS initiative. Efforts are ongoing to onboard additional PGA and trade participants to DIS.

• Phase 1.5 of DIS will deliver connectivity with PGAs. It will enable the ability to move images to FDA and is estimated to be complete in 3 months
• Phase 2 will establish connectivity with ACE functionality for an expanded list of PGAs. It will establish additional links from the ACE portal to document imaging storage. Discussion with the Office of Field Operations (OFO) are ongoing for training and implementation in the ports. CBP estimates that Phase 2 will be completed in 6 months.

Final PGA message set planned for March 2011. The PGA message set adds additional inbound data elements required by other agencies to the major import reporting messages (aka PGA Message set for the Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR)). CBP would then be able to provide this data to other agencies via a data interface (Interoperability initiative) with each agency.

CBP is working to establish a project timeline and close coordination with the trade will be undertaken. Finalization of the PGA message set is planned for March 2011 and it has an estimated completion of 6-12 months from the point that CBP has procured a contract.

Web services to send existing entry data to PGAs being developed. CBP is developing and institutionalizing common sets of technical standards that will cover data interface protocols and the types of data to be delivered through the interfaces.

CBP is formulating PGA requirements for web services to deliver existing entry data from the CBP legacy system to the respective PGA data systems. CBP is actively engaged in this process. However, no schedule for implementation has been shared with ITDS to date.

Future ACE Releases: M1, PSC Functionality, Cargo Release

CBP’s notice also provides information the following future ACE releases:

Cargo release. The development of the Cargo Release requirements will focus on the admissibility of imported articles and their release into the commerce of the U.S.in coordination with PGAs and the trade.

Work is currently underway with PGAs and the trade community to revalidate the previously gathered requirements, map the requirements against the ITDS Concept of

Operations (ConOps) and identify any gaps that need to be addressed. This work is expected to be completed April 2011.

Meetings with stakeholders (PGAs, the trade, and CBP users) are underway to validate functionality and ensure a harmonized approach from all vantage points. Once the requirements are revalidated, the design and acquisition phase will begin with an anticipated contract award at the end of 2011 or early 2012.

See future issue of ITT for BP summary of CBP officials providing additional details on Cargo Release and its deployment that were provided during a recent interview.

M1, PSC. CBP’s notice also provides information on the future release of e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail (M1) and Post Summary Correction functionality. However, this information, along with additional details have been provided for in recent BP notices.

See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/24/11 news, 11022421, for BP summary of upcoming PSC functionality, which is expected to be deployed in April 2011.

See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/14/11 news, 11021424, for BP summary of CBP putting the M1 pilot “on hold” due to contractor issues.