CBP Issues "Testing Requirements" Policy for New ACE ABI Filers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a CSMS message outlining its policy on testing requirements for new Automated Commercial Environment ABI filers.
CBP notes that it completed the deployment of ACE ESAR III capabilities (also known as ESAR A2.3.1a) relating to the filing and processing of AD/CVD entries and Case Management on February 14, 2010. As a result, entry summary types 01, 11, and 031 can now be filed in ACE.
Only ABI Filers Using Tested Software Packages May File in ACE
CBP states that ABI entry summary filers that are currently operational for entry summaries filed in the Automated Commercial System (ACS) and that are using a software package from a vendor who has completed ACE Certification testing, are not required to test their software again in ACE CERT.
However, CBP states that any filer that is new to the Automated Broker Interface will need to be tested in ACE. CBP states that no filer will be allowed to file in ACE unless they are using a tested software package.
CBP notes that there seems to be some confusion amongst the trade as to whether all filers can now file in ACE. (According to CBP, this may be a result of the initial ACE Entry Summary deployment when CBP was only accepting those "early adopters" who responded to the A2.2 Federal Register notice.)
CBP emphasizes that ACE is now open to all filers at all ports with the properly tested software.
1Formal (entry type 01), informal (entry type 11), and antidumping/countervailing duty (type 03).
(See ITT's Online Archives or 02/16/10 news, 10021605, for BP summary on CBP's deployment of ESAR A2.3.1a. See ITT's Online Archives or 02/22/10 news, 10022210, for BP summary of CBP's new, updated ACE "topic" documents, factsheets for ESAR.)
CSMS 10-000053, dated 02/23/10, available at http://apps.cbp.gov/csms/viewmssg.asp?Recid=17835&page=&srch_argv=10-000053&srchtype=all&btype=&sortby=&sby=.