CBP to Begin eBond Test in Early 2015

CBP will begin to test a centralized electronic bond program, known as eBond, the agency said in a notice (here). The test, scheduled to begin Jan. 3, will involve the use of eBonds between principals and sureties in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), with CBP as a third-party beneficiary, the agency said. All eBonds in the test must be transmitted by a surety or surety agent electronically, either through the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) or emailed to CBP for manual input into ACE, said CBP.

The "test is intended to evaluate the automation of CBP’s bond program, its impact on trade, and CBP’s ability to enforce applicable laws and protect the revenue," said the agency. The test will run for about two years and all eBonds will have the same effect as manually executed bonds, it said. The test will include continuous eBonds, single transaction eBonds and eBond riders

CBP said it also plans to soon finalize a previously issued proposed rule to centralize the continuous bond handling at CBP's revenue division (see 10011105). "It is anticipated that a final rule adopting the proposed amendments that pertain to centralization of the continuous bond program at the RD and permitting the electronic transmission of both continuous bonds and STBs to CBP via the Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) will be published in the Federal Register in the near future," the agency said.

(Federal Register 11/28/14)