FSIS Set to Begin Pilot for Electronic Filing of Import Documentation Through ACE
The Food Safety and Inspection Service said it will begin its pilot May 28 on submission of electronic import inspection applications for meat, poultry, and egg products (FSIS Form 9540-1) through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), and is accepting requests to participate from importers and customs brokers by that date. The pilot will be used to test the transfer of data from the Participating Government Agency (PGA) Message Set in ACE to FSIS’ Public Health Information System (PHIS), the agency said. FSIS also posted a draft compliance guide for importers and customs brokers on electronic filing of the form in ACE.
FSIS launched the Public Health Information System in May 2012 (see 12043006). According to FSIS, the system will eventually allow importers and customs brokers to enter FSIS import inspection application data directly into ACE through the Automated Broker Interface (ABI) as part of the CBP entry process, eliminating the need to file a separate paper application with FSIS. The import inspection application data filed with ACE will be sent to PHIS before arrival of a shipment, expediting data entry and shipment clearance by FSIS, the agency said. As of yet, however, the interface with ACE has yet to be fully implemented, so only some data elements can be transferred from ACE to PHIS. According to a Nov. 27 proposed rule, paper filing of the application will still be allowed upon full implementation (see 12112703).
Participants in the FSIS pilot will use the PGA Message Set to send additional FSIS-specific data elements through ACE to PHIS before their cargo arrives in the U.S., instead of submitting the paper FSIS Form 9540-1. Through the pilot, FSIS will determine whether sending data from the PGA Message Set in ACE to PHIS makes the clearance process faster. Applications to participate in the pilot are due by May 28.
FSIS posted a draft compliance guide (here) on electronic filing of import inspection applications to help importers and customs brokers understand the additional FSIS data that will need to be submitted through ACE to complete the import application process. The guide includes data elements that may be needed from the importer depending on the imported commodity, as well as examples of how to enter the data in the ABI. Comments on the draft compliance guide are due by June 27.
(Federal Register 03/29/13)