Data Entry Mistakes, Not CBP Systems, Caused Release of Confidential Information, Says CBP

The release of trade information that had been requested to be kept confidential was the result of improper data entry by users and not CBP programming or systems error, the agency said in a CSMS message. CBP said it received numerous complaints from importers/consignees regarding specific data (namely, party/shipper/consignee name and address) that was released despite their submitted requests for confidentiality.

CBP reminded the trade they are required to strictly adhere to the data formats in the Implementation Guidelines (IGs). As indicated in the IGs, the commercial party name fields must only contain commercial party name data. Data transmitters are including “street address” data in the fields for “commercial party name." As a result, the name of the party stored in the ACE database is corrupted because it includes address data. This inaccurate party name data fails the confidentiality edits resulting in confidential business information being shared publicly and is tied directly to the way in which data is transmitted by users, said CBP.

(See ITT's Online Archives 12120726 for summary of a law firm notice on the release of confidential materials.)