CBP Updates Flow Chart for Air Cargo Simplified Entry, Drops CEE List

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted an updated version of its February 2012 "Trade Transformation" document, which includes a modified flow diagram of the Simplified Entry process in the air cargo environment from pre-departure to arrival. The diagram has removed the CBP messaging icons and descriptors and instead more fully describes CBP's interaction with and messaging to filers and carriers throughout the Simplified Entry (SE) process. The updated version also no longer lists the locations for current and planned Centers of Excellence and Expertise.

(In December 2011, CBP selected nine brokers to participate in a test of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) SE capability for the air mode. The SE pilot will eliminate the current 27 data elements required on CBP Form 3461, to be replaced with a streamlined set of 12 data elements. This is intended to simplify the merchandise release process and reduce transaction costs for the trade. CBP expects the first filing of a live SE by pilot trade participants to occur in March 2012.)

Diagram Clarifies CBP's Interaction w/ Filers in the SE Process

CBP's updated flow diagram describes the Simplified Entry process as follows:

Pre-Departure

• Filer Simplified Entry Submission and ACAS Submission -- CBP receives the SE, and messages back a data acceptance message, CBP will let the filer know if there is a corresponding bill on file. If the filer is using an ACAS carrier, CBP will indicate any bill match.
• Targeting Systems -- ACAS system will indicate the Load Message once targeting is complete.

Wheels Up

• Carrier Flight Departure -- CBP will send a Status Message of the Entry once the ACAS and SE are matched and targeting has been completed.

Remaining Flight Time¹

• Carrier Manifest Submission (AMS) -- Once the manifest is filed, CBP will match up the manifest with the corresponding bill. Non-ACAS participants must wait until the manifest is filed before they receive any status messaging from CBP.
• Targeting Systems
• Filer Updates -- The information can be updated by the Trade prior to arrival.
• Targeting Systems - CBP will update the release message, as appropriate, as new information is updated.
• Resolve Any Holds Prior to Arrival

Arrival

• The goods are officially released once they arrive.

Document No Longer Lists Current and Future CEE Locations

The updated document no longer lists the locations for the two established and seven planned industry Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEEs). The earlier version of this document had provided the following list:

(See ITT's Online Archives 12020903 for summary of this previously included list.)

¹The timeframes for submitting advance electronic cargo information are as follows: (1) for nearby foreign areas (North America, including locations in Mexico, Central America, South America (from north of Ecuador only), the Caribbean, and Bermuda), CBP must receive the required cargo information no later than the time of departure of the aircraft for the U.S. (no later than the time that wheels are up on the aircraft, and it is en route directly to the U.S.); and (2) for any other foreign areas, CBP must receive this information no later than 4 hours prior to the arrival of the aircraft in the U.S. For summary of the 2003 final rule requirements for advance cargo information, send a request to documents@brokerpower.com.

²CBP is using the new names for these permanent CEEs, which reflects their future scope. (See ITT's Online Archives 12012004 for summary of CBP's plans to expand the scope of these two CEEs in mid-fiscal year 2012.)

(See ITT's Online Archives 12021019 for summary of CBP's earlier version of the flow diagram depicting the Simplified Entry (SE) process.

See ITT's Online Archives 11122009 for summary of a December 2011 CBP presentation which detailed the Simplified Entry process.

See ITT's Online Archives 12012322 for summary of CBP's expectation that the first Simplified Entry will be filed in March 2012.)