CBP Posts GIF on Use of Excel to Upload Broker Employee List into ACE

January 9, 2012 by Marie Rapport|Customs and Ports

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted a 2009 Great Idea Form (GIF) on a request from the trade community for the ability of Customs brokers to upload employee information from an Excel spreadsheet to the ACE Portal to meet the 19 CFR Part 111 requirement to provide CBP with a list of broker employees. The GIF notes that the functionality delivered with ESAR A1 does not allow the mid to large size broker to take advantage of the ACE Portal for this requirement.

All data elements could be uploaded. All data elements currently required by Part 111 to be reported could be included in the spreadsheet. In addition, the trade is recommending that the actual update date also be captured, so that CBP would know how current the information is.

Confirmation that upload was successful. The trade would like to receive a confirmation that the upload worked correctly to ensure they remain compliant with regulations. The message should confirm the number of records received. If for some reason the upload is not successful, error messages should be returned that are understandable.

Seeking monthly update option. The option to upload an entire file each month should be available as well as the ability to upload changes only. While the trade would like to start with an Excel spreadsheet as a means of providing employee information, ultimately the trade would like to have an EDI option as well.

2009 GIF in active status. This 2009 GIF, which was posted by CBP on 01/04/12, was submitted to CBP by the Trade Support Network's (TSN) Account Management Committee. It is listed by CBP here as in active status.

(See ITT's Online Archives 11112207 and 11120908 for summary and reminder of CBP guidance on the submission of the Triennial Status Report which, along with a corresponding $100 fee, should be filed by February 29, 2012. Licensed Customs brokers are also required to present an employee list, if applicable, with the Triennial Status Report.

See ITT's Online Archives 11121224 for summary of CBP's plan to pursue a statutory amendment to 19 USC 1641 to change the triennial broker reporting to biannual reporting.

See ITT's Online Archives 11111810 for summary of CBP's revocation of 469 Customs broker licenses for failure to file the 2009 triennial status report and applicable fee.)