CBP Lists Eligibility Criteria for Initial ACE Document Image System Test
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.
(Via DIS, the trade community will have the ability to electronically send images of specific CBP and Participating Government Agency (PGA) forms and supporting information to CBP via the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in lieu of conventional paper methods. These documents will be stored in the DIS and made available for CBP and PGA users for review, acceptance or rejection. DIS will provide for the storage of all submitted documents in a secure centralized location in order to link to the appropriate ACE entry summaries.)
Eligibility Criteria for Initial DIS Test
Eligibility criteria for the initial DIS test include the following:
- Participating importers and/or brokers must be ACE entry summary filers.
- Single Transaction Bonds (STB) may only be submitted via DIS for ACE entry summaries.
- DIS may only be used to transmit documents for ACE Entry Summaries in response to an electronic request.
- DIS may be used to transmit documents required at time of release if the ACE Entry summary is certified. In this case, all imaged documents must be submitted when the entry summary is filed.
CBP Will Announce Specific Terms of DIS Test in a Federal Register Notice
CBP will announce the specific terms of the DIS test, including the CBP and PGA forms to be included, in a Federal Register Notice. The Implementation Guide for DIS and related documents are now available on the CBP's website here.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11100404 for summary of CBP officials stating that the agency plans to announce a test (pilot) that would accept single transaction bonds via DIS.
See ITT's Online Archives 11101720 for summary of CBP stating that access to capabilities within the DIS and the PGA Message Set will be available to ACE entry summary filers and ACE entry summaries only
(CBP has recently noted that about 46 entities are filing entry summaries in ACE as of October 2011, and officials have estimated that such summaries represent less than 1% of all entry summaries filed. Recently CBP and the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America announced their formation of a partnership to encourage the industry to move to ACE. See ITT's Online Archives 11101440 for summary.)