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ACE Simplified Entry Tests for Ocean & Rail Planned for 2012 (3461 v. Simplified Data)

November 10, 2011 by Marie Rapport|Top News

On November 9, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced its plans to conduct a test of Simplified Entry in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). While the initial test phase is only for the air mode, CBP has issued a news release stating that it is planning similar test phases in the ocean and rail environments for early to mid-2012. CBP also clarifies that the deadline for voluntary participants for the air mode test phase is November 17, 2011, and those volunteering must include information regarding their volume of entries and the ports expected to be utilized.

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(See ITT's Online Archives 11110918 for detailed summary of CBP's Simplified Entry test details on the initial test phase for air mode.)

1st Test Phase only for Air, CBP Plans Tests for Ocean and Rail in Early-Mid 2012

In its news release, CBP states that it is planning similar test phases for the ocean and rail environments in early to mid-2012. In the November 9 Federal Register notice, CBP stated that while the initial test phase will only be for the air transportation mode, land border arrivals, both truck and rail, and vessel ocean arrivals will be included in later phases of the test. CBP stated it will begin an evaluation of the initial air mode test phase after it has been ongoing for approximately 90 days for purposes of possible extension or expansion of the test to other modes of transportation.

Test Participants File Simplified Entry Data in Lieu of CBP Form 3461

Most commonly, entry information is submitted to CBP electronically through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) with the submission of the electronic equivalent of the CBP Form 3461, which contains 27 data elements. With the Simplified Entry test, in lieu of filing CBP Form 3461 (or its electronic equivalent), the importer or broker acting on behalf of the importer must file with CBP 12 data elements (the Simplified Entry Data Set). For the air environment in the initial test phase, the entry filer, at his option, may also provide three additional data elements.1

A comparative listing of these elements is as follows (emphasis added):

CBP Form 3461 Fields
  1. Arrival Date
  1. Elected Entry Date
  1. Entry Type Code/Name
  1. Entry Number
  1. Port
  1. Single Transaction Bond
  1. Broker/Importer File Number
  1. Consignee Number
  1. Importer Number
  1. Ultimate Consignee Name
  1. Importer of Record Name
  1. Carrier Code
  1. Voyage/Flight/Trip
  1. Location of Goods-Code(s)/Name(s)
  1. Vessel Code/Name
  1. U.S. Port of Unlading
  1. Manifest Number
  1. General Order Number
  1. Total Value
  1. Description of Merchandise
  1. IT/Bill of Lading/Air Waybill Code
  1. IT/Bill of Lading/Air Waybill Number
  1. Manifest Quantity
  1. HTS Number
  1. Country of Origin
  1. Manufacturer Number
  1. Certification

*Note that the following rules also apply for the initial test phase, some elements of which may be a CBP Form 3461 field: (i) only for the air transportation mode; (ii) only allowed for Type 01 and 11 entries; (iii) must be used with a continuous bond (not a STB); (iv) doesn't include split shipments, unassembled or disassembled entities; (v) the port of arrival and port of entry and unlading must be the same; (vi) the manifested BL and release BL quantity count must match; and (vii) participants cannot replace or amend a simplified entry once CBP sends a release message.

Parties Interested in Participating in Test Must Contact CBP by Nov 17

CBP will limit the initial phase of this test to nine accounts, however, CBP can raise this limit should testing capabilities allow. Parties interested in participating in the test must submit an email to cbpsimplifliedprocess@dhs.gov with the subject heading "Simplified Entry Participant Request" by November 17, 2011 at 11:59pm.

The email must also include information regarding estimated volume of entries anticipated to be filed under Simplified Entry and the identity of the ports where filings are likely to occur.

1Note that in the news release, CBP states that during the test, the filer will enter a Simplified Entry consisting of 13 data elements and 4 optional data elements, instead of the 27 currently required. The November 9 Federal Register Notice, however, states that there will be 12 required and three optional data elements (air mode) as part of the air mode Simplified Entry test phase.

CSMS Message #11-000281 clarifying that the deadline for submission of applications to participate in the Simplified Entry test is November 17, 2011, is available here.

CBP Form 3461 is available here.

CBP news release is available here.