CBP Says PGA Message Set Integration, In-Bond Among ACE Priorities for 2nd Half of 2013

CBP released a list of its near term priorities for development for the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). The agency document said work on three items previously mentioned to be priorities, the Participating Government Agency (PGA) Message Set, automated corrections/deletions, and initial entry summary edits, will begin with "agile pilots." CBP also listed some priorities planned for the second half of the year, including PGA message set integration and entry integration with in-bond.

CBP is now working on adding four items to ACE during the first half of 2013. They are:

• Automated Export Processing -- Modernizing the platform of the export system to include option 3, recent White House validations, and basic export manifest functionality.
• PGA Message Set -- Establish the first phase of bi-directional communications between PGAs and CBP. This pilot includes three PGAs.
• Automated Corrections/Deletions -- The ability to process, then accept (or deny) corrections or deletions sent via EDI by the Trade related to Entries already on file. The expectation is that the system will retain version control and highlight specific changes for easy identification.
• Initial Entry Summary Edits -- The ability to determine when Harbor Maintenance Fees in the Ocean Mode of Transportation are allowed.

The ACE agenda for the second half of the year includes:

• PGA Integration -- The ability to receive PGA data transactions from a Trade User on behalf of a PGA. This is for the remaining 38+ PGAs that were not covered by the pilot.
• Other Edits -- The ability to perform total and line calculations for duty.
• Remaining Entry Types -- The ability to handle and process all Entry Types for both Entry and Cargo Release and Entry Summary.
• Entry Integration with In-bond -- The ability to process an Entry that includes In-Bond information and post appropriate dispositions to the In-Bond System.

Following those items, CBP said the agency will work on ACE refactoring, " a technical process largely invisible to users in which existing code is modified/revised in order to improve system performance." The agency will also work to add automated invoices, which will allow for transfer of electronic invoice data and/or scanned invoice images, and the ability for the full statement processing in ACE. The document includes a full list of planned additions to ACE listed by priority. CBP notes it has high confidence in project that are schedule for the next six months.

(See ITT's Online Archives 13020127 for a recent CBP summary of 2013 plans for ACE. See ITT's Online Archives 12112709 for summary of items recently identified by the National Customs Broker and Forwarders Association of America as necessary features.)