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Details of CBP's "BEST" Trade Plan for Supply Chain Based on Broker's Role, ACE Simplified Entry, Etc.

January 18, 2012 by Elizabeth Parker|Top News

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted presentation slides on its "Trade Transformation" initiatives for 21st century trade. Within the slides, CBP states that it seeks to improve cargo security while increasing trade competitiveness by fully aggregating risk management. According to CBP, it will accomplish this by leveraging end-to-end visibility of accounts that captures a holistic view of the global supply chain through the use of its "BEST" goals.

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CBP to Improve Cargo Security & Competitiveness thru "BEST" Goals

The presentation slides outline how CBP will transform its trade processes through various initiatives by using its BEST goals:

  • Better Targeting - Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS), Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), Importer Security Filing (ISF), ACE Simplified Entry.
  • Expedite Trade -- ACE, Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE), ACE Simplified Entry.
  • Segment Risk -- ACAS, CEE, ISF, Role of the Broker.
  • Transaction Savings -- ACE, CEE, ACE Simplified Entry, Simplified Summary.

CBP Outlines How Initiatives Will Be Used Throughout the Supply Chain

CBP also maps out how its initiatives will exemplify the BEST goals throughout the supply chain, from pre-arrival to post-arrival (applicable modes of transportation are specified):

Pre-Arrival

  1. Role of the Broker -- expands the broker's duties/responsibilities in helping ensure trade compliance in all modes of transportation and ACE, ensures a trusted partnership with CBP, and maintains well-defined business processes.
  2. ACE Simplified Entry (initial data) -- streamlines required data elements without carrier information for filings, allows filers to submit data earlier in the process, filers are able to receive release upon security/manifest filing, advances ACE cargo release, and targeting is performed prior to departure. This is currently only for air and ACE, but additional functionality is planned to be deployed in the future for ocean, truck, and rail.
  3. Importer Security Filing (ISF) -- provides ocean cargo information in advance and enhances the ability for CBP to focus on high-risk shipments. This is only for the ocean mode, but functionality in ACE is planned for the future.
  4. ACAS -- allows carriers to provide advanced security information, which allows for more effective targeting by CBP. This is only for the air mode, but functionality in ACE is planned for the future.
  5. Center of Excellence & Expertise (CEE) -- single points of contact for trusted partners, which allows for greater predictability and shifts the focus of ports of entry to high-risk shipments. The CEE's have expertise in industry standards and procedures. CEEs are available for all modes, but have no functionality in ACE.
  6. ACE Simplified Entry (holds and updates) -- allows holds to be addressed throughout the entry process and the best available information to be updated (currently only for air mode and in ACE).

Post-Arrival

  1. Center of Excellence & Expertise (CEE) -- Account Executives (AE) provide issue resolution for trusted partners; provide expertise for focused enforcement; and mitigate other government agency (OGA) holds and industry issues. This is available to all modes of transportation, and in ACE.
  2. ACE Simplified Summary -- provides the ability for trusted partners to pay duties, taxes, and fees on a monthly basis rather than per transaction. This reduces transaction costs while increasing revenue collection; aligns with trade business processes and systems; and advances "managing by account". Future functionality is planned for all modes and ACE.
  3. Role of the Broker -- pre-certification expands potential pool of trusted partners in all modes (except ACE). Brokers are also used as a force multiplier.

(See ITT's Online Archives 12011710 for initial summary of these presentation slides.

See ITT's Online Archives 12010425 for summary of CBP's FAQs on the ACE Simplified Entry Pilot.

See ITT's Online Archives 11121411 for summary of CBP's work to make the ACAS pilot permanent.

See ITT's Online Archives 11121307 and 11102610 for summaries of the CEEs for Pharmaceuticals and Electronics and CBP's plans to create CEEs for an additional eight industries.

See ITT's Online Archives 11121224 for summary of CBP's plans to expand the role of the broker.)