U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a new CSMS notice asking the trade to disregard its November 14, 2011 CSMS notice #11-000282, which contained explanatory information and links to the draft Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) Chapter and message set for CBP's test of the simplified entry capability in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The explanatory information in this new CSMS notice is the same, and states the CATAIR chapter/message set is in draft form, and it does not reflect a final document. However, the new CSMS notice has updated links for the draft CATAIR Chapter/Message Set, which is available here, and the sample CATAIR message, which is available here.
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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS notice that contains the draft Customs and Trade Automated Interface Requirements (CATAIR) Chapter and message set for CBP's test of the simplified entry capability in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). CBP states that it should be noted that this chapter/message set is in draft form, and it does not reflect a final document. The draft CATAIR Chapter/Message Set is available here. Sample CATAIR message is available here.
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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing its plan to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP)1 test on ACE simplified entry capability. The test will reduce the information participants must file with CBP prior to arrival in the U.S. to 12 required, and three optional data elements. The initial phase of the test will only be for the air transportation mode and is available for nine accounts. Parties interested in participating in the test should contact CBP by November 17, 2011.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a notice announcing its plan to conduct a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test concerning Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) simplified entry capability. The initial phase of the test will be open to entries filed in the air transportation mode only. Parties interested in participating in the test should contact CBP by November 17, 2011.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released a document on the eligibility criteria for the initial test of the Document Image System (DIS) in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). CBP states that to promote the filing of transactions and expedite the transition to ACE, CBP has determined that access to the capabilities within the DIS will be available to ACE entry summary filers and for ACE entry summaries only. This includes ACE entry summaries certified for release.
At the October 4, 2011 COAC meeting, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials provided an update on the Automated Commercial Environment and the International Trade Data System since the previous COAC meeting in August 2011. According to CBP, ACE continues to be among the agency’s top business priorities. CBP officials also provided an update on its activities on M1, ITDS, Cargo Release, the September 2011 Trade Support Network Plenary, and ACE for Export Processing.
Senator Baucus, the year is coming to a close and by all appearances Alan Bersin is doing what you asked of him almost one and one-half years ago during the May 2010 hearing on his nomination as CBP Commissioner -- to renew and strengthen his focus on the agency’s historical mission to facilitate international trade. You had put him on notice that both the Senate and Finance Committee would be reviewing his record and deciding whether he would be allowed to continue his service as CBP Commissioner beyond December 31, 2011.
On October 27, 2011, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Bersin hosted a series of roundtable discussions with leaders of trade associations on their issues and concerns. The President of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), a domestic textile industry association, presented the NCTO's concerns with illegal textile and apparel transshipments involving falsified certificates of origin. CBP also discussed its initiatives ACE, simplified entry pilot, and the Centers for Excellence and Expertise with other roundtable participants.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials stated at the September 2011 annual NCBFAA conference that the agency is currently using the Document Imaging System internally for emailed single transaction bonds. However, they are working with select individuals to develop a plan to expand its use, and hope to issue a Federal Register notice announcing a pilot in a few months on regularly accepting STBs via DIS.