CBP Posts June Status Update on ACE Progress to Date

June 19, 2012 by Tim Warren|Customs

CBP posted a June update on its progress with various ACE capabilities and other projects, such as the Document Image System, PGA Message Set, e-Manifest: rail and Sea (M1), ACE Truck, Automated Export Processing etc.

Periodic Monthly Statement

The monthly statement will simplify the processing of duties and fees by moving from a transaction-by-transaction payment process to an interest free periodic monthly statement process. The statement also will allow all eligible shipments released during the month to be paid on the 15th working day of the following month. This will give additional flexibility in the management of working capital required for duty payments and allows the filer to select either a national or a port statement. The broker will also be able to pay on behalf of the importer either on an importer or a broker statement. Data for the statement will be updated hourly,

PGA Access to ACE

There are 47 agencies involved with ITDS to varying degrees and 29 Participating Government Agencies (PGAs) are accessing data through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Portal. Examples of these agencies include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), which is newly listed in this update (others that are listed are the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Census, Import Administration (IA) and the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS).

Document Image Pilot Test

A Federal Register notice ran on April 6 to announce the DIS pilot test and invite trade members to participate. Capabilities within DIS are available to ACE entry summary filers and for ACE entry summaries only, including ACE entry summaries certified for release summaries certified for release.

M1 (e-Manifest: Ocean and Rail)

CBP will be decomissioning the Automated Manifest System Sept. 29, making ACE the only automated environment for filing.

Simplified Entry

Simplified Entry will streamline the data required to obtain release of products for cargo, eliminating the current entry (CBP Form 3461).

CBP announced via a Federal Register notice on November 9, 2011, a plan to conduct a test of the Simplified Entry capability. The pilot started May 29 in three ports and CBP is working with trade pilot participants on next steps for Simplified Entry.
Filers will submit a reduced amount of information—12 required and three optional data elements—prior to the arrival of the merchandise for transporting the cargo to the U.S.
The simplified entry can be filed earlier in the import process, allowing for earlier risk assessment.
This functionality will also allow pilot participants to update entry information, providing CBP more accurate data and enhancing cargo security

Simplified Summary, which is a long term vision, will be a periodic summary filing and payment settlement over a set period, versus the current process of accounting by transaction. The next step is to discuss the legal and policy framework necessary to act on the vision of Simplified Summary.