Another 30 Days to Comment on CBP's New ACE Trade Survey
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is announcing an additional 30 day comment period on a new proposed information collection, the Automated Commercial Environment Trade Survey, which it plans to submit to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval.
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Comments on the proposed information collection are due by June 17, 2011. This submission to OMB is being made to establish a new information collection.
(About $3 billion over ten years has been spent on ACE and ITDS to date, according to one CBP official that spoke at TradeWatch 2011, which was held in California on February 17, 2011. The official noted that CBP has changed ACE from being an IT project to one driven by business needs, adding that customs brokers and forwarders need to advise CBP on which ACE functionality is critical to their industries.)
CBP Plans to Conduct Voluntary ACE Survey of Brokers, Forwarders, Importers
CBP plans to conduct a survey of commercial entities, including Non- Vessel Operating Common Carriers, Freight Forwarders, Foreign Trade Zones, Filers (to include Brokers and Self-Filers), Importers, Carriers and Sureties, regarding their use of and experience with the ACE system.
Survey Would Include Questions on ACE Functionality
This voluntary survey will be conducted over the Internet by e-mail and/or telephone invitation. The survey will include questions about current, as well as future ACE functionalities. The results and analysis of the survey responses will be used to characterize the trade community’s experience with ACE and inform future functionality deployments.
CBP Estimates 1,000 Businesses Will Respond at 30 Minutes Each
CBP estimates the number of respondents will be 1,000. CBP estimates the time per respondent will be 30 minutes and total annual burden hours to be 500.
Comments Requested on Utility of Survey, Etc.
CBP is asking for comments from the general public and other federal agencies on (1) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency/component, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agencies/components estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of information.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 03/10/11 news, 11031021, for BP summary of CBP's initial request for comments on this information collection.
During a recent interview with Broker Power, CBP officials provided an update on ACE. See ITT’s Online Archives or 02/14/11, 02/15/11, 02/24/11, and 03/08/11 news or 11021424, 11021531, 11022421, and 11030832, for BP summaries from this interview.)
CBP Contact -- Tracey Denning (202) 325-0265
(FR Pub 05/18/11)