Updated ACAS Security Filing Seeks More Data
CBP's Air Cargo Advanced Screening security filings will have additional codes to be completed by filers responsible for air cargo shipments originating from outside the U.S., starting in early September.
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The updates are in response to "an urgent need to increase data collection on the USG side," the National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America said in an Aug. 27 update. CBP also regularly updates its security protocols, which are constantly evolving to respond to and keep pace with current events, said a source familiar with the changes.
CBP told International Trade Today in an Aug. 28 email that it "continually implements measures to enhance cargo security within existing authorities and regulatory framework, to include through the Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program."
The implementation date for these changes will be Sept. 3, according to NCBFAA.
The additional codes are included in the latest ACAS Implementation Guide. The changes between the new guide, version 2.3, and the older one, version 2.1, involve Table 30. The new Table 30 has 19 type codes total for other party information, compared with seven type codes in the previous version.
The additions are meant to capture data from five different shipper scenarios, NCBFAA said. The types of information collected should be data already available in the supply chain. Filers might already have access to this data.
The added type codes include data points such as verified voice telephone and verified email address. Filers are also asked to define the account type: shipping outlet/walk-in; immediate transaction; occasional shipper; regular/daily shipper; or high-volume shipper. They are also asked for the account billing type; the options will be electronic funds transfer, credit card/debit card, cash payment or periodic billing.
CBP also is seeking data on whether the filer represents an importer with an importer of record number or similar identifier, and whether the shipper is a known shipper or a known consignor.
The additional data collected will be for national security purposes. The data won't be used for carrying out investigations on intellectual property rights violations, Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act enforcement or other Office of Trade issues, NCBFAA said.
As changes roll out, CBP plans to publish a FAQ document as soon as possible that might include information pertinent to the revised ACAS Implementation Guide but not necessarily within the guide itself, according to NCBFAA.
An initial FAQ has started to circulate within the trade community, according to an Aug. 28 NCBFAA update.
"The whole CBP chain of command is involved in making this rollout as seamless as possible. From the top leadership, through the ACAS office, over to the client reps and all the way around, CBP is working hard to work as one fully integrated agency for this roll out," NCBFAA said in its update.
A CBP cargo systems update from Aug. 22 had indicated that the agency would be making changing to the ACAS data elements.