CBP ACE User Guides on Merged & Cross Accounts, Portal Access

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has posted five user guides dated February 2012 on merging Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) accounts, cross account access, managing user access, the business activity log, and initial account access.

• Merging ACE Accounts. Merging accounts in ACE is possible if all parties involved are ACE Secure Data Portal Accounts. A merge is defined as follows: (1) one entity acquires another entity either partially or completely; or (2) a complete merger between two entities resulting in another entity. (here)
• Managing Cross Account Access. Cross Account Access (CAA) is ACE functionality that allows users to access multiple ACE Portal accounts based on privileges granted by one or more Trade Account Owners (TAO). A TAO can grant and set up CAA for another company’s TAO. Establishing CAA requires an invitation or request from a company’s TAO that allows access to all or some of that company’s Accounts. The recipient can accept or reject the request. (here)
• Manage User Access. The “User Access” view within the ACE Secure Data Portal provides the ability among other things for the set up of multiple trade user roles. Within this view the TAO or Proxy Trade Account Owner (PTAO) can create contacts and create/maintain account users. (here)
• Business Activity Log. The Business Activity Log (BAL) contains a historical log of information exchanged between CBP and an ACE portal account. It can be used to document any activity related to an ACE account with respect to CBP business. It does not, however, replace regular or required communication between CBP and any account user. (here)
• Initial Account Access. A step-by-step guide that explains the actions necessary to log in to the ACE portal. (here)

(See ITT's Online Archives 12021404 for recent summary of CBP posting four ACE user guides on account activation and running various reports.)