CBP to Expand Simplified Entry Participant Pool, Modify Selection Criteria

CBP will modify its selection criteria and expand the participant pool for the a National Customs Automation Program (NCAP) test on ACE simplified entry capability, the agency said in a notice in the Federal Register Aug. 14. Simplified entry allows participants to file 12 required, and three optional data elements with CBP prior to arrival in the U.S. The ongoing initial phase of the test is only for air transportation mode and will run through Dec. 31, 2013. The changes to the pilot are effective Aug. 14, according to the notice. (FR 08/14)

CBP said it will now open up the pilot beyond the initial nine participants to "all eligible applicants." CBP will accept all new eligible applicants on a first come first served basis, though it reserves the right to make its own selections if the volume of eligible applicants exceeds CBP's administrative abilities, it said. Applications to participate in Simplified Entry must be sent via email to cbpsimplifiedprocess@dhs.gov by Sept. 4. Applicants will be notified whether their application is accepted and prior applicants who were not accepted to participate in the test must re-apply for consideration, said CBP.

Importer C-TPAT Requirement Relaxed

Customs will also modify the requirements for participation in the pilot to remove a security requirement of importers being represented by customs brokers. While importer self-filers must still hold a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Tier 2 or higher status to be eligible to participate in the test, the C-TPAT status of an importer for whom a customs broker files a Simplified Entry is no longer required, said CBP.

CBP is continuing to work on developing and deploying additional functionality including incorporation of the Participating Government Agency (PGA) message set and the use of the Document Image System, according to a CBP overview of Simplified Entry for the upcoming Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection (COAC) meeting on Aug. 15 in Seattle. CBP is also working on a plan to expand Simplified Entry to the ocean environment, it said. The COAC document is (here).

(Filing of the Simplified Entry Data is considered customs business for purposes of 19 USC 1641. The party filing Simplified Entry Data must have the right to make entry as provided in 19 USC 1484. Accordingly, only the importer or customs broker acting on the importer’s behalf may submit this filing. See ITT's Online Archives 11110918 for summary of the Simplified Entry pilot.)

Contacts: CBP Contacts -

• Policy questions: Steve Hilsen -- stephen.hilsen@dhs.gov
• Technical questions: Susan Maskell -- susan.maskell@dhs.gov

(The NCAP was established by the Customs Modernization provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act. Through NCAP, the initial focus of customs modernization was on trade compliance and the development of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). CBP’s modernization efforts include phased releases of ACE component functionality designed to replace a specific legacy function of the Automated Commercial System (ACS). Each release will begin with a test and will end with mandatory compliance with the new ACE feature to retire the legacy ACS function. Each release builds on previous releases and sets the foundation for subsequent releases.)