CBP posted a new ocean conveyance user guide in preparation for the Sept. 29 cutoff of ACS/AMS, after which the Automated Commercial Environment will be the only electronic interface available for filing advance manifest information, said CBP in a CSMS message (here). The user guide contains step-by-step instructions for creating, viewing and maintaining ocean conveyance records in ACE and ocean carriers should familiarize themselves with the process, said the CBP. After September 29, 2012 ocean carriers should be using the ACE Portal functionality to add all new conveyance records and to edit any that are under their ACE account. CBP said for now, carriers should continue to send their Lloyds email requests to ams.sea.lloyds@dhs.gov when it is known that the vessel is not on file with CBP or if any of the following information changes: Name, Owner, Flag or Registry, Draft and Tonnage (Gross/Net).
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)
The Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) is the CBP's electronic system through which the international trade community reports imports and exports to and from the U.S. and the government determines admissibility.
CBP will allow non-automated entities to release cargo based on screen printouts from importers and brokers in order to support the ongoing Simplified Entry (SE) pilot, CBP said in a July 24 CSMS message. The printout should have at a minimum the shipment ID and quantity being released, the type of release as well as clear identification of who presented the release information, said CBP.
CBP posted a July version of its list of trade benefits for participants in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) by industry segment. Specific benefits are listed for Customs brokers, importers, self-filers, sureties, carriers, trade account owners (TAOs), as well as all users with portal accounts, for (1) ACE Secure Data Portal, (2) Periodic Monthly Statement, (3) ACE Reports, (4) Simplified Entry, (5) Entry Summary Filing(6) Document Image System, (7) Post Summary Corrections, (8) e-Manifest: Truck and (9) e-Manifest: Rail and Sea. The July version includes two new sections, Simplified Entry (SE) and Document Image System (DIS), that weren't in the previous version.
CBP ACEopedia for July 2012 provides an update to progress in ACE to date. The update on progress was the biggest changes between the new ACEopedia and previous versions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold webinars on the CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Document Imaging System (DIS) Testing, said CBP in a CSMS message. EPA is seeking participants for this first phase of DIS, which begins in July.
CBP said the joint pilot conducted with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to test the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) e-Manifest: Rail and Sea (M1) functionality was a success. The Coast Guard became the first Participating Government Agency (PGA) to successfully navigate ACE M1 in production during a series of operational trials in May piloted in Charleston, SC, said CBP. The trials will result in better targeting capability of high risk cargo, improved communication to the trade community, and greater border security.
CBP is encouraging all carriers, including all Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers, to establish a free Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Secure Data Portal account. An ACE portal account will provide ocean and rail carriers with enhanced functionality via ACE.
CBP posted a June update on its progress with various ACE capabilities and other projects, such as the Document Image System, PGA Message Set, e-Manifest: rail and Sea (M1), ACE Truck, Automated Export Processing etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a final rule to permit licensed customs brokers to store records relating to their customs transactions at any location within the U.S. under certain conditions, and to remove the requirement that certain brokers retain entry records in their original format for the 120-day period after release of imported merchandise. The rule ran in the Federal Register June 8.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Daniel Baldwin sought to allay persistent concerns from the trade community on the coming transition to eManifest: Rail and Sea (M1), saying the immediate CBP focus will be implementation rather enforcement. Baldwin, CBP's Executive Director of Cargo and Conveyance Security, spoke at the American Association for Exporters and Importers convention June 5. Several industry executives voiced concerns, especially about the treatment of residue within M1.