CBP Seeking ACE Feedback Says Oct. TAO Update

CBP will soon ask for user feedback on it's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the agency said in its ACE Trade Account Owner (TAO) update for October. CBP has asked for such input the last several years, it said.

The survey is voluntary and completely anonymous and each respondent should complete a separate survey, rather than consolidate responses, said CBP. Consolidated responses are counted as a single response and therefore carry less weight. CBP is also requesting that positive and constructive comments be as specific as possible so that successes and areas in need of improvement can be more accurately assessed, the agency said. Last year, CBP had trouble making use of the comment due to a lack of specificity.

Post-Summary Corrections

The TAO also included reminders on using post-summary corrections. According to the update:

• Trade participants are able to submit a post summary correction (PSC) for an existing ACE entry type 01 and 03 entry summary. Type 11 informal entries are not eligible for post summary corrections.
• The PSC will replace the existing entry summary as a new version of the entry summary on file with CBP and will be processed through existing validations including Census warnings. The version increases to the next whole number, (e.g., 2.0 in ACE reports).
• PSCs can be made at the header or the line level of the ACE entry summary or both.
• The PSC replaces the existing Post Entry Amendment (PEA) hardcopy process for all ACE entry summaries.
• All entry summaries including PSCs may be subject to team review. CBP will not review each PSC.
• CBP will consider the PSC to be the importer’s assertion that the entry summary data is correct. CBP will accept the data as the most up to date information available and will change the associated collection information to reflect any resulting monetary changes.

Periodic Monthly Statement Issue

CBP also made clear it is aware of an issue with the November Periodic Monthly Statement Due Date in Account Revenue Reports. The correct final Periodic Monthly Statement due date is Nov. 23, 2012. When running the Account Revenue reports users may see some entry summaries flagged with a due date of Nov. 21, 2012 and others with a due date of Nov. 23, 2012. The Nov. 21, 2012 date is incorrect and will be corrected:

• If the entry summary has not appeared on a Periodic Daily Statement yet, the correct due date will show when it appears on the Periodic Daily Statement.
• If the Periodic Daily Statement has not had a debit authorization done yet, the correct due date will show when the debit authorization (PN) is sent and the Periodic Daily Statement gets a Periodic Monthly Statement number assigned to it.

(See ITT's Online Archives 12101117 for summary of CBP's CSMS message on the issue.)